Artificial light configured for daylight emulation

ABSTRACT

A lighting system configured for daylight emulation. The system includes a plurality of light sources for generating a daylight-emulating output light spectrum and a ventilation element for generating a simulated breeze to artificially emulate conditions in an outside environment of an enclosed structure in which the lighting system is disposed. The system also includes a controller for dynamically controlling at least one of the intensity, directionality and color temperature to emulate sun position for at least one of a geography and time of day. The controller also controls the generated simulated breeze of the ventilation element to be one of a cool breeze and a warm breeze to artificially emulate the outside environment in correspondence with the artificially emulated daylight spectrum. The system further includes a networking facility that facilitates data communication with at least one external resource.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.15/846,795 filed Dec. 19, 2017, which claims the benefit of U.S.application Ser. No. 15/380,707 filed Dec. 15, 2016 now U.S. Pat. No.9,894,729, which claims the benefit of U.S. Application No. 62/267,656filed Dec. 15, 2015 and U.S. Application No. 62/326,330 filed Apr. 22,2016, all of which are hereby incorporated by reference in theirentirety.

BACKGROUND Field

The present disclosure relates to an artificial light, configured fordaylight emulation, including generating a dynamic, daylight qualityspectrum based on tuning at least one of intensity, color temperatureand directionality based on at least one of geographic location and timeof day, as well as devices for and methods of using them.

Description of the Related Art

Embodiments of artificial lights disclosed herein may providesignificant advantages over existing devices, including withoutlimitation higher efficiencies, fewer components, improved materials,improved optical properties, and better color rendition, leading toseveral characteristic effects, including without limitation increasedsales per square foot, higher employee productivity, shorter recoverytimes after surgical procedures, reduced employee absenteeism, andincreased occupant satisfaction. These and other advantages will berecognized by the person of ordinary skill in the art, given the benefitof this disclosure.

There is a need for an artificial light configured for daylightemulation to increase sales of retail environments, improve employeeproductivity and reduce employee absenteeism, shorten recovery timesafter surgical procedures and increase occupant satisfaction.

Studies linking natural day lighting to increased sales per square foot,higher employee productivity, reduced recovery times after surgicalprocedures, increased test scores, reduced employee absenteeism, andincreased occupant satisfaction demonstrate a clear value inincorporating natural light delivery systems into a wide range ofbuilding interiors.

Often, natural daylighting may not be readily incorporated into buildinginteriors for a range of reasons. Interiors may not have direct roofaccess such, as one or more floors in multi-story building. Interiorsmay be far from the building facades, such that direct incidence ofdaylight remains low during the majority of the day. Logisticalchallenges relating to human and capital equipment relocation duringretrofits may preclude infrastructural improvements. Total retrofitcosts associated with installation labor, materials, human resourcerelocation, and/or capital equipment relocation may precludeinfrastructure improvements. Additionally, the owner may not directlybenefit from the natural lighting retrofits, such as may be the case inrented commercial, industrial, or residential interiors, complicatingownership arrangements and financial responsibility. Additionally,infrastructural improvements may affect liabilities associated withother building systems, such as warranties on roofing systems, waterdamage policies, and heating, ventilation, and cooling systems. Forbuildings under construction, natural daylighting systems typicallyincur higher costs, which may be avoided to reduce up front constructioncosts if it is not believed by the building owner that higher rents maybe gained from the inclusion of the system.

There exists a range of building environments in which the inclusion ofadditional natural daylighting would affect a beneficial outcome relatedto user activity but which physical, financial, or logisticalconstraints preclude the inclusion of such. For such environments, thereis a need for lighting systems which can be included which present anemulation of natural daylighting systems. Such daylight emulationsystems may similarly affect a beneficial outcome, such as increasedsales per square foot, higher employee productivity, reduced recoverytimes after surgical procedures, increased test scores, reduced employeeabsenteeism, and increased occupant satisfaction in building interiorsfor which the inclusion of real natural daylighting is prohibited.

SUMMARY

The methods and systems provided herein include an artificial light,configured for daylight emulation, including capabilities for generatinga dynamic, daylight quality spectrum based on tuning at least one ofintensity, color temperature and directionality based on at least one ofgeographic location and time of day.

The methods and systems provided herein include an artificial light,configured for daylight emulation, including capabilities for generatinga dynamic, daylight quality spectrum with color temperature tuned to sunposition based on geography and time of day.

The methods and systems provided herein include an artificial light,configured for daylight emulation, including capabilities for generatinga dynamic, daylight quality spectrum with intensity tuned to sunposition based on geography and time of day.

The methods and systems provided herein include an artificial light,configured for daylight emulation, including capabilities for generatinga dynamic, daylight quality spectrum with direction of light tuned tosun position based on geography and time of day.

The methods and systems provided herein include an artificial light,configured for daylight emulation, including capabilities for a dynamic,daylight quality spectrum with at least one of intensity, directionalityand color temperature tuned to sun position based on at least one ofgeography and time of day and based on emulating a weather conditionsuch as a cloud cover condition, a cloud thickness condition, a snowcondition, a rain condition, an air pollution condition, fog conditions,or the like.

The methods and systems provided herein include an artificial light,configured for daylight emulation, including capabilities for generatinga dynamic, daylight quality spectrum with at least one of intensity,directionality and color temperature tuned to sun position based on atleast one of geography and time of day and based on emulating anenvironmental condition, such as an albedo condition, a reflectivitycondition, an opacity condition, a color condition, a building materialcondition, a shadow condition, or the like.

The methods and systems provided herein include an artificial light,configured for daylight emulation, including capabilities for generatinga dynamic, daylight quality spectrum with at least one of intensity,directionality and color temperature tuned to sun position based on atleast one of geography and time of day, with spatial tuning to managethe position of at least one of a bright spot, a shadow and a reflectionbased on a factor in the environment where the artificial light providesillumination, such as a workspace location, a desktop location, adisplay screen location, a TV screen location, an art location, a mirrorlocation, an eye-level location, a reading location, or the like.

The methods and systems provided herein include an artificial light,configured for daylight emulation, including capabilities for generatinga dynamic, daylight quality spectrum with at least one of intensity,directionality and color temperature tuned to sun position based on atleast one of geography and time of day, wherein the light is configuredwith a form factor that resembles an architectural feature, such as askylight, a window, a transom, a sliding door, a mirror, or the like. Awindow might be a transom, a paned window, a pane-less window, aclerestory window, or the like.

The methods and systems provided herein include an artificial light,configured for daylight emulation, including capabilities for generatinga dynamic, daylight quality spectrum with at least one of intensity,directionality and color temperature tuned to sun position based on atleast one of geography and time of day, wherein the light has anetworking facility that facilitates data communication with at leastone external resource.

The methods and systems provided herein include an artificial light,configured for daylight emulation, including capabilities for a dynamic,daylight quality spectrum with at least one of intensity, directionalityand color temperature tuned to sun position based on at least one ofgeography and time of day, wherein the light has a networking facilitythat facilitates uploading of data to at least one external resource.

The methods and systems provided herein include an artificial light,configured for daylight emulation, including capabilities for generatinga dynamic, daylight quality spectrum with at least one of intensity,directionality and color temperature tuned to sun position based on atleast one of geography and time of day, wherein the light has anetworking facility that facilitates downloading of data from at leastone external resource.

The methods and systems provided herein include an artificial light,configured for daylight emulation, including capabilities for generatinga dynamic, daylight quality spectrum with at least one of intensity,directionality and color temperature tuned to sun position based on atleast one of geography and time of day, wherein the light uses anoptical mixing chamber to provide a broad spectrum from a plurality oflight sources that each of a narrower spectrum emission of selectedcolors and color temperatures.

The methods and systems provided herein include an artificial light,configured for daylight emulation, including capabilities for generatinga dynamic, daylight quality spectrum with at least one of intensity,directionality and color temperature tuned to sun position based on atleast one of geography and time of day, wherein the light has anetworking facility that facilitates receipt of environmental sensordata from at least one external resource and a processing facility formodulating the output of the light based on the environmental data,wherein the environmental sensor data is from a sensor, such as a lightsensor, weather sensor, barometer, moisture sensor, temperature sensor,heat flux sensor, or the like.

The methods and systems provided herein include an artificial light,configured for daylight emulation, including capabilities for generatinga dynamic, daylight quality spectrum with at least one of intensity,directionality and color temperature tuned to sun position based on atleast one of geography and time of day, wherein the light has anetworking facility that facilitates accessing a geo-location facilityfor identifying the geo-location of the light.

The methods and systems provided herein include an artificial light,configured for daylight emulation, including capabilities for generatinga dynamic, daylight quality spectrum with at least one of intensity,directionality and color temperature tuned to sun position based on atleast one of geography and time of day, wherein the light has anetworking facility that facilitates accessing a geo-location facilityfor identifying the geo-location of the light and a processing facilityfor determining the azimuth of the sun at the geo-location at a point intime.

The methods and systems provided herein include an artificial light,configured for daylight emulation, including capabilities for generatinga dynamic, daylight quality spectrum, wherein the light has a networkingfacility that facilitates accessing a geo-location facility foridentifying the geo-location of the light and a processing facility fordetermining the azimuth of the sun at the geo-location at a point intime and automatically tuning the intensity, directionality and colortemperature based on the azimuth and geo-location of the sun at theposition.

The methods and systems provided herein include an artificial light,configured for daylight emulation, including capabilities for generatinga dynamic, daylight quality spectrum with at least one of intensity,directionality and color temperature tuned to sun position based on atleast one of geography and time of day, wherein the light mixes lightfrom multiple sources to provide a range of color temperatures spanningfrom 3000K or less to 6000K or more with a color rendering index (CRI)greater than 85.

The methods and systems provided herein include an artificial light,configured for daylight emulation, including capabilities for generatinga dynamic, daylight quality spectrum with at least one of intensity,directionality and color temperature tuned to sun position based on atleast one of geography and time of day, wherein the light has achromatic diffuser for diffusing the output of the light. Inembodiments, the diffuser provides a Raleigh scattering effect toproduce a sky-like color of the light.

The methods and systems provided herein include a kit, which may includeat least one artificial light engine that is configured for daylightemulation, including generating a dynamic, tunable daylight qualityspectrum and a facility for forming a housing for the light engines thatis configured for integration with an architectural feature, such as acove, a recess, a column, a spandrel wall section, a curtain wallsection, a clearstory, roof monitors, a light well, a translucentceiling element, barrel or arch vaulted ceilings, or the like. Inembodiments, the facility for forming the housing is an extrusionfacility.

The methods and systems provided herein include a kit that may includean artificial light source, configured for daylight emulation, includinggenerating a dynamic, tunable daylight quality spectrum and a glazingfacility for covering the artificial light source, wherein the lightsource and glazing facility are configured to dispose the light sourcein proximity to an architectural feature. In embodiments, thearchitectural feature may be any of the items noted throughout thisdisclosure.

The methods and systems provided herein include an artificial light,configured for daylight emulation, including capabilities for generatinga dynamic, daylight quality spectrum with at least one of intensity,directionality and color temperature tuned to sun position based on atleast one of geography and time of day, wherein the light is furtheradapted to provide display of an effect, such as a video effect,animation effect, color-changing effect, light show, indicator signal,or the like.

The methods and systems provided herein include an artificial light,configured for daylight emulation, including capabilities for generatinga dynamic, daylight quality spectrum with at least one of intensity,directionality and color temperature tuned to sun position based on atleast one of geography and time of day, wherein the light is configuredto induce a biological effect, such as a circadian effect, a sleepinducing effect, an alertness inducing effect, a stimulating effect, arelaxing effect, a phototherapeutic effect, a mood enhancing effect, orthe like.

The methods and systems provided herein include an artificial light,configured for daylight emulation, including capabilities for generatinga dynamic, tunable daylight quality spectrum, the light configured in aform factor adapted to fit into the space of a standard ceiling tile andto create the appearance of a skylight. In embodiments, the light isconfigured in at least one of a two-foot-by-two-foot configuration, atwo-foot-by-four-foot configuration, and a four-foot-by-four-footconfiguration.

Also provided herein are methods and systems for designing aconfiguration for housing an artificial light engine that includes aprocessor and that is capable of generating a dynamic, tunable daylightquality spectrum, including designing an architectural feature, shapinga space of the architectural feature to house the light engines, andinserting the light engines into the space.

The methods and systems provided herein include an artificial light,configured for daylight emulation, including capabilities for generatinga dynamic, tunable daylight quality spectrum, the light configured toprovide an additional virtual effect to a lighting effect, where thevirtual effect is selected from the group consisting of an image effect,a sound effect, a smell effect and a feel effect that simulates aneffect of at least one of a skylight and a window.

The methods and systems provided herein include an artificial light,configured for daylight emulation, including capabilities for generatinga dynamic, tunable daylight quality spectrum, the light configured toprovide an additional imagery effect to a lighting effect, where theimagery effect is selected from the group consisting of a sky image, acloud image, and a landscape image.

The methods and systems provided herein include an artificial light,configured for daylight emulation, including capabilities for generatinga dynamic, tunable daylight quality spectrum, the light configured toprovide a sound effect to a lighting effect, where the sound effect isconfigured to emulate the sound transmitted through at least one of askylight and a window, wherein the sound effect is selected from thegroup consisting of a sound of crashing waves, a sound of wind, a soundof insects, a sound of a machine, a sound of music, and a sound of acommunication.

The methods and systems provided herein include an artificial light,configured for daylight emulation, including capabilities for generatinga dynamic, tunable daylight quality spectrum, the light configured toprovide an additional smell effect to a lighting effect, where the smellis configured to emulate a smell coming through at least one of askylight and a window, where the smell is selected from the groupconsisting of a plant smell, a clean air smell, an ocean air smell, anda cut grass smell.

The methods and systems provided herein include an artificial light,configured for daylight emulation, including capabilities for generatinga dynamic, tunable daylight quality spectrum, the light configured toprovide a feel effect in addition to a lighting effect, where the feeleffect is configured to emulate a feeling transmitted through at leastone of a window and a skylight, wherein the feel effect is selected fromthe group consisting of a feeling of warmth that emulates transmittedsunlight and a feeling of dynamic airflow.

Aspects and embodiments of the disclosed technology are directed tosystems and devices that employ lighting sources to emulate the lightingand visual appearance of natural daylighting systems and components.

Disclosed is a natural light emulation system having a number oflighting assemblies controlled by a controller. Each lighting assemblyhas a multi-sided enclosure surrounding a light well. There are severallight engines that generate light for at least one side of the lightwell. There are a number of light modification elements with at leastone being associated with a light engine. At least one controlleroperates the light engines of at least one lighting assembly accordingto either user input or a calculated algorithm to emulate naturallighting radiating in a specific direction.

In another embodiment, a natural light emulation system is describedhaving at least one lighting assembly. The lighting assembly has amulti-sided enclosure surrounding a light well with a plurality of lightengines for generating light from at least one side of the light well.There is also optionally a number of light modification elements, withat least one associated with one of the light engines.

At least one controller is adapted to operate the light engines causingthem to emulate at least two of the following light parameters: thedirection of incident light, the spectrum of incident light and theintensity of incident light.

The system of the current application may also be described as a naturallight emulation system with a plurality of light groups wherein each ofthe light groups has at least one lighting assembly. The light assemblyincludes a multi-sided enclosure surrounding a light well and a numberof light engines for generating light from at least one side of thelight well.

There are a number of light modification elements, with at least onelight modification element being associated with one of the lightengines.

At least one controller is adapted to operate the lighting assemblies ofat least one light group causing all lighting assemblies of the group toemulate incident light received from an incident direction, with acoordinated spectrum and with a coordinated intensity.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

The disclosure and the following detailed description of certainembodiments thereof may be understood with reference to the followingfigures:

FIG. 1 is an illustration of one embodiment of an artificial lightconfigured for daylight emulation.

FIG. 2A is an illustration of one embodiment of a custom form factor kitwith light engines behind an architectural feature.

FIG. 2B is an illustration of one embodiment of a custom form factor kitwith light engines in a niche.

FIG. 3 is an illustration of a method for designing a configuration foran exemplar housing of an artificial light.

FIG. 4 is an illustration of various methods of communicating with theelements of the system.

FIGS. 5 and 5A are schematic representations of a natural daylightemulation light fixture.

FIG. 6 is an example of a suspended ceiling skylight of the prior art.

FIG. 7 illustrates a view from under a bottom side of a skylightassembly.

FIG. 8 illustrates a view from the top of a skylight assembly of FIG. 5.

FIG. 9 shows an equation for calculating illuminance and graphs of thevalues of five fitting parameters of this equation as a function of dayof year.

FIGS. 10A and 10B are examples of a natural daylight emulation lightfixture.

FIG. 11 is an illustration of architectural skylight.

FIG. 12 illustrates an embodiment of a frame for glazing diffusers.

FIG. 13 illustrates an exploded top view of an embodiment of a lightengine and light distribution assembly.

FIG. 14 illustrates an example of the power density over a spectrum fora multi-channel light engine.

FIG. 15 illustrates a graphical user interface (GUI) according to anembodiment of the present application.

FIG. 16 illustrates an exploded top perspective view of an embodiment ofa skylight assembly as viewed from above.

FIG. 17 illustrates an exploded top perspective view of an embodiment ofa skylight assembly as viewed from below.

FIG. 18 illustrates a perspective view of the light distributionassembly.

FIG. 19 is a perspective, partial sectional view of a skylight assembly.

FIG. 20 is an illustration of the graded light effects that may beproduced with a multi-channel addressable edge illuminated light guide.

FIG. 21 illustrates coordination of an effect across a plurality ofskylight systems.

FIG. 22 illustrates varying photometric parameters in order to achieve acoordinated lighting effect.

FIG. 23 illustrates an interior office that emulates an exterior officeby virtue of installation of daylight emulation systems.

FIG. 24A illustrates a first perspective view of an installation of adaylight emulation system associated with a ventilation duct feature.FIG. 24B illustrates a second perspective view of an installation of adaylight emulation system associated with a ventilation duct feature.

FIG. 25 illustrates an architectural feature shaped to conform to thedimensions of a daylight emulation system.

FIG. 26 illustrates a user interface for selecting or enteringparameters of a daylight emulation system in connection with the designof such a system.

FIG. 27 is an example of variation in photometric parameters for acomponent of natural daylight.

FIG. 28 is an example of variation in photometric parameters for acomponent of natural daylight.

FIG. 29 is an example of variation in photometric parameters for acomponent of natural daylight.

FIG. 30 is an example of variation in photometric parameters for acomponent of natural daylight.

FIG. 31 is an example of variation in photometric parameters for acomponent of natural daylight.

FIG. 32 is an example of variation in photometric parameters for acomponent of natural daylight.

FIG. 33 is an example of variation in photometric parameters for acomponent of natural daylight.

FIG. 34 is an example of variation in photometric parameters for acomponent of natural daylight.

FIGS. 35A-35D are graphs that illustrate the scattering of a scatteringcomponent with a wavelength dependence of λ⁻⁴.

FIGS. 36A-36D are examples of variation in photometric parameters forvarying intensities of input light after passing through a dispersivescattering optical component.

FIGS. 37A-37D are examples of variation in photometric parameters forvarying intensities of input light after passing through a dispersivescattering optical component.

FIGS. 38A-38D are examples of variation in photometric parameters forvarying intensities of input light after passing through a dispersivescattering optical component.

FIGS. 39A-39D are examples of variation in photometric parameters forvarying intensities of input light after passing through a dispersivescattering optical component.

FIG. 40A shows a conceptual schematic of a lighting system where lightis delivered through a combination of conventional top lit light enginesand side lighting delivered through light guides.

FIG. 40B shows commercially available luminaires designed for retailapplications using edge lit planar light guides.

FIG. 41 shows a light guide that includes down conversion elements totailor light output.

FIG. 42 shows embodiments of combinations of top and intra-canopylighting elements.

FIG. 43 is a graph that shows five exemplary independent spectra (solidlines) whose sum can be tuned to change the overall spectrum emergingfrom the fixture (dashed line).

FIG. 44 is a graph that shows a second five exemplary independentspectra (solid lines) whose sum can be tuned to change the overallspectrum emerging from the fixture (dashed line).

FIG. 45 is a graph that shows five exemplary independent spectra (solidlines) whose sum is tuned to generate a first distinct variant ofdaylight quality spectra of a first color temperature.

FIG. 46 is a graph that shows a second five exemplary independentspectra (solid lines) whose sum is tuned to generate a second distinctvariant of daylight quality spectra of a second color temperature.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Detailed embodiments of the present disclosure are disclosed herein;however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments aremerely exemplary of the disclosure, which may be embodied in variousforms. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosedherein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis forthe claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in theart to variously employ the present disclosure in virtually anyappropriately detailed structure.

The terms “a” or “an,” as used herein, are defined as one or more thanone. The term “another,” as used herein, is defined as at least a secondor more. The terms “including” and/or “having”, as used herein, aredefined as comprising (i.e., open transition).

FIG. 1 shows various components and sub-systems that may be employed,arranged, and configured in various embodiments of an artificiallighting system configured for daylight emulation 100 (which is referredto in some cases in this disclosure simply as the “lighting system,” the“system,” or the “artificial light,” which should be understoodinterchangeably except where context indicates otherwise). Theartificial lighting system 100 may include, be integrated with, orinteract with various information technology components, such as one ormore remote servers/cloud environments 136, networks 126, externalsystems 128, environment sensors 124, or the like. In embodiments, theartificial lighting system 100 may comprise various architectural formfactors, such as forming a modular ceiling fixture skylight 102, awindow, or the like, where a housing, such as shaped as a skylight 102,houses various components, such as one or more displays 160 forproducing artificial daylight 110, imagery 112, or the like.

The artificial lighting system 100 may also include complementarysystems, such as for delivering air 104, sound 105, scent 106, heat 107,cooling 109, or other factors that affect non-lighting conditions of theenvironment of the artificial lighting system 100.

The lighting system 100 may have a dimension-variable, modular formfactor housing 106, which may be varied to fit into variousarchitectural configurations, such as a space for a standard skylight orwindow. The system 100 may use data from various databases 168.

A control system hosted on a remote server or in a cloud environment 136may include various control modules, systems or algorithms 138. Controlsystems 138 may include environment sensor-based control algorithms 148,tuning control algorithms 164, lighting algorithms 146, display controlalgorithms 144, virtualization algorithms 142, environmental conditioncontrol algorithms 140 (such as a fan 104 for controlling air, a systemfor sound 105, a system for scent 106, a heater 107, a cooling facility109), and the like. Remote server/cloud 136 may be connected todatabases 168 and network 126. Databases 168 may include geolocationdata databases 150, weather data databases 152, display contentdatabases 154, user data databases 156, environment databases 158,biological effects databases 162, color temperature databases 166 andthe like.

In embodiments, methods and systems are provided wherein a staticimagery effect is distributed over a plurality of modular ceilingfixtures with partial display on each. This may include asynchronization module 172 for managing multiple lighting systems 100,including tracking information about the absolute and relative positionand orientation of such systems 100, as well as managing timing fordisplay of images across multiple systems 100.

Network 126 may connect to remote server/cloud 136, environment sensors124, external systems 128 and modular ceiling fixture skylight 102.External systems 128 may include building control systems 134,enterprise systems 132, information systems 130 and the like.

In embodiments, a custom form factor kit 114 may be provided forproducing an artificial lighting system 100. The kit 114 may include anyof the components depicted on FIG. 1 , as well as appropriateinstructions and/or tools for integrating the components, assembling thelighting system 100, and installing the lighting system 100.

The artificial lighting system 100 or kit 114 for making it may includecomplementary systems, such as a fan 104 or other ventilation systemelement for providing air, sound 105, scent 106, heat 107, and cooling109.

The system 100 may have a dimension-variable, modular form factorhousing 106. Modular ceiling fixture skylight 102 may have variabledimensions. Variable dimensions may include a variable width dimension,variable height dimension and variable depth dimension. The custom formfactor kit 114 may include light engines 122 having various lightsources (e.g., LED or other semiconductor light sources, CFL lightsources, fluorescent light sources, incandescent light sources, or thelike), one or more networked processors 120, one or more custom optics118 and a control system, such as for algorithm execution 116. Theartificial lighting system 100 may include a user interface 108, such asfor controlling lighting, inputting settings, selecting modes, andcontrolling air, sound, scent, display, cooling, heating or the like.Display 160 may include the ability to display artificial daylight 110(such as to complement or substitute for lighting from the light engines111), and/or provide imagery 112. Networked processor 120 may includealgorithms such as time of day algorithms, azimuth algorithms, intensityalgorithms and the like. Algorithms may also enable modulation for othereffects.

The artificial lighting system 100 for daylight emulation may alsocollect or receive data. Data may be weather data 152, location data 150(such as geolocation data), display content data 154, user data 156,environment data 158, biological effect data 162, color temperature data166, mapping data, and the like, which may be obtained from externaldata sources or from data collected by the artificial lighting system100. The system 100 may also include or take images from a camera, suchas an external camera 170, which may capture images for storage asdisplay content 154, such as allowing the display 160 to show imagescaptured by the camera as if the viewer of the system 100 were lookingout a window or skylight and seeing the environment captured by thecamera 170.

Artificial lighting system 100 may also include an environment sensorhub 124. The sensor hub 124 may provide sensor integration to sensorsconnected to the artificial lighting system 100, such as light sensors,temperature sensors, motion sensors, heat sensors, proximity sensors,chemical sensors, or others, or to other sensors that are connected tothe system 100, such as through the Internet.

Location data, weather data, or the like may be used to simulatelocation-aware daylight. Location data may include azimuth data andintensity based time of day data.

Artificial lighting system 100 may include interfaces to other systems.Interfaces to other systems may include application programminginterfaces (APIs), connectors, network interfaces and the like,optionally available via a network 126. Thus, artificial lighting system100 may be an intelligent, connected artificial light.

Artificial lighting system 100 may include a control system 138, withintegrated or distributed facilities for controlling various parametersof the components of the lighting system 100, such as forvirtualization, personalization, emulation, and the like. This mayinclude controlling lighting parameters of the light engines 122, suchas lighting intensity levels, light color, color temperature or thelike, controlling content (e.g., imagery, video, animations, or thelike) for a display 160, and controlling ventilation, cooling, heating,scent, sound or other conditions that result from the output of thesystem 100. Personalization of the system 100 may be based upon userinput or analysis, such as of similar users, and may include or be basedupon comfort personalization, therapeutic personalization, energymanagement personalization, functional lighting personalization,performance optimization personalization and the like. Each type ofpersonalization may include or be based on artificial intelligence, suchas developed using a machine learning system 174, such as having thecontrol algorithms 138 accept feedback from users as to user experiencesand usage profiles with various goals of the system 100 and optimizeuser experiences, such as by varying and optimizing control parameters,relationships, and rules. In embodiments, therapeutic personalizationmay include prescribed light recipes for intended health outcomes.Energy management personalization may include rules based parameters tominimize energy usage, meet prescribed energy goals or react to demandresponse protocols.

Network 126 may be a wired network or wireless network. FIG. 4illustrates an embodiment of wireless network technology. The wirelessnetwork topology may include user devices (4202), a wireless router(4206), and skylight luminaires (4208). User devices may include desktopcomputers, laptop computers, mobile devices and the like. The passwordprotected GUI that may be accessed by a user device (4202) may allowdirect wireless control to one or more of the skylight luminaires (4208)via a wireless communications network (4210). The wirelesscommunications network may be a local-area-network (LAN) orwide-area-network (WAN). One embodiment of a local area network used inthe group of light fixtures is comprised of a no centralized router tomediate communications between units but such communications are sentthrough a network of light fixtures directly through a peer-to-peernetwork.

According to another embodiment of the current application, the devicesmay be hardwired, connected through the Internet, connected thoughcellular telephone communication or a combination of any number of thesecommunications listed.

An embodiment of the artificial lighting system 100, configured fordaylight emulation, includes generating a dynamic, daylight qualityspectrum with at least one of intensity, directionality and colortemperature tuned to sun position based on at least one of geography andtime of day. The system 100 may be further configured to induce abiological effect selected from a group of biological effects.Biological effects may include a circadian biological effect, a sleepinducing biological effect, an alertness inducing biological effect, astimulating biological effect, a phototherapeutic biological effect, amood enhancing biological effect and the like. The group of biologicaleffects may be stored in the biological effects database 162.

Some of the general features of embodiments are described below.

In embodiments, a general illumination area greater than that of typicallight fixtures is produced.

In embodiments, a variable light spectrum is produced.

In embodiments, there is an advantage of being utilized in environmentswith or without natural light.

In embodiments, light parameters are calculated and emulated without theneed to rely upon sensor or network input for this purpose.

In embodiments, no ducts linking the building internal and externalenvironments are required to operate.

In embodiments, light is provided by a plurality of wide and narrow-bandlight sources. These can provide light of more than one targetcorrelated color temperature, which can be controlled to change as afunction of time.

In embodiments, a light source with a spectral maximum in theultraviolet or infrared wavelengths is not required, as is required bysome prior art devices.

In embodiments, light is provided from a wide spatial area and is notintended to be a point source, as required by some prior art devices.The claimed system can also provide uniform lighting over theilluminated area, if desired.

Some prior art devices require minimizing differences between its actualoutput light spectra and a reference spectrum. However, in embodiments,this is not a requirement for operation.

In embodiments, widely spatially varying light is produced uniformly.

In embodiments, the claimed disclosure describes fixtures that areintended to be observed, as opposed to hidden lighting of some prior artdevices.

In embodiments, a secondary lens is not required.

Multiple, distinct light sources are employed in embodiments, andarranged to create areas of color and brightness uniformity on somesurfaces and areas of substantial non-uniformity on other surfaces.

In embodiments, some of the light from the light sources may radiatedirectly to the observer without being reflected, due to the structure.

In embodiments, multiple light sources are employed that are capable ofrendering various colors.

Natural daylight emulation can be achieved in a number of arrangementswhere only a subset of features normally associated with daylight istypically present. For instance, emulation of the view of a detailedscene through a vertically oriented window requires the re-creation of aview of the detailed scene, but such is not required for horizontallyoriented windows, roof windows, or skylights. Likewise, the totaltransmitted illumination through large area arrays of vertically orhorizontally oriented windows would require high densities of artificiallight sources, which may not be readily obscured from direct observationcompared to arrangements of smaller areas of horizontally orientedwindows.

An effective emulation of natural daylight may require the emulation ofboth sunlight and skylight, each of which have distinct physicalproperties, such as intensity, color, and the extent to which light isscattered, or diffused. The sun is considered a distant point source oflight, often referred to as “beam” sunlight, because it is highlydirectional. Light from the sky, on the other hand, arrives from a largearea and is more or less diffuse, meaning scattered and arriving fromall directions. Beam light will cast a shadow; diffuse light will notcast a distinct shadow. Methods and systems disclosed herein mayconsider the nature of environmental lighting conditions and manage thelight to produce sharp shadows that are characteristic of beam light orless distinct shadows that are characteristic of diffuse light, such asbased on current outside conditions. In some cases, sharp shadows may bealtered, such as to move them to locations within an environment wherethe shadows are less invasive, such as by keeping them away from thelocation of a desktop in a work environment. Thus, in embodiments,control systems for an artificial lighting system 100 may include inputsfor setting locations at which shadows should be avoided.

Unobstructed sunlight is typically high intensity, generally providing5,000 to 10,000 foot-candles of illumination. The intensity of sunlightvaries with time of year and location on the planet. It is most intenseat noon in the tropics when the sun is high overhead and at highaltitudes in thin air, and least intense in the winter in the arctic,when the sun's light takes the longest path through the atmosphere.Sunlight also provides a relatively warm color of light varying incorrelated color temperature (CCT) from a warm candlelight color atsunrise and sunset, about 2000 degrees K, to a more neutral color atnoon of about 5500 degrees K. The correlated color temperature is thetemperature of the Planckian (black body) radiator whose perceived colormost closely resembles that of a given stimulus at the same brightnessand under specified viewing conditions.

Natural skylight includes the light from both clear blue skies andvarious types of cloudy skies. The brightness of cloudy skies dependslargely on how thick and numerous the clouds are. A light ocean mist canbe extremely bright, at 8,000 foot-candles, while clouds on a stormy daycan almost blacken the sky. The daylight on a day with complete cloudcover tends to create a very uniform, diffuse lighting condition.Skylight from clear blue skies is non-uniform. It is darkest at 90degrees opposite the sun's location, and brightest around the sun. Italso has a blue hue, and is characterized as a cool color temperature ofup to 10,000 degree K. Skylight from cloudy skies is warmer in color, ablend somewhere between sunlight and clear blue skies, with correlatedcolor temperatures of approximately 7,500 degrees K.

The overcast sky is the most uniform type of sky condition and generallytends to change more slowly than the other types. It is defined as beinga sky in which at least 80% of the sky dome is obscured by clouds. Theovercast sky has a general luminance distribution that is about threetimes brighter at the zenith than at the horizon. The illuminationproduced by the overcast sky on the earth's surface may vary fromseveral hundred foot-candles to several thousand, depending on thedensity of the clouds. The clear sky is less bright than the overcastsky and tends to be brighter at the horizon than at the zenith. It tendsto be fairly stable in the luminance except for the area surrounding thesun which changes as the sun moves. The clear sky is defined as being asky in which no more than 30% of the sky dome is obscured by clouds. Thetotal level of illumination produced by a clear sky varies constantlybut slowly throughout the day. The illumination levels produced canrange from 5,000 to 12,000 foot-candles. The cloudy sky is defined ashaving cloud cover between 30% and 80% of the sky dome. It usuallyincludes widely varying luminance from one area of the sky to anotherand may change rapidly.

The majority of commercial and industrial skylights are installed onflat roofs, where the skylight receives direct exposure to almost thefull hemisphere of the sky. Typically, there are also few obstructionsto block sunlight from reaching the skylight. A skylight on a slopedroof does not receive direct exposure to the full sky hemisphere, butonly a partial exposure determined by roof. The sun may not reach theskylight during certain times of the day or year, depending upon theangle and orientation of the sloped roof. For example, a skylight on aneast-facing roof with a 45 degrees slope will only receive direct sunduring the morning and midday hours. In the afternoon it will receiveskylight, but only from three-fourths of the sky. As a result, in theafternoon it will deliver substantially less light to the space belowthan an identical skylight located on a flat roof.

The shape of a skylight also affects how much daylight it can provide atdifferent times of the day, although these effects tend to be much moresubtle than building geometry. For example, a flat-glazed skylight on aflat roof will intercept very little sunlight when the sun is very lowin the early morning and at the end of the day. However, a skylight withangled sides, whether a bubble, pyramid, or other raised shape, canintercept substantially more sunlight at these critical low angles,increasing the illumination delivered below by five to 10 percent at thestart and end of the day.

FIG. 10B shows an embodiment of an embodiment of a natural lightlighting assembly as it appears installed in a ceiling in operation.

Natural daylighting systems are typically implemented alongsideartificial lighting systems for use on days with insufficientdaylighting and for nighttime utilization. Artificial lighting systemsare typically designed to supplement the daylighting system. A commonapproach is to use the skylights to provide the basic ambient light forthe building along with a back-up electric ambient system onphotocontrols, while using specific electric lights to provide higherlevels of task lighting in critical locations. Task lighting can beprovided at work counters, in shelving aisles, or at critical equipment.

The correlated color temperature of supplemental artificial lighting istypically set to higher temperatures to reduce color mismatch betweennatural daylight and artificial light and to reduce the tendency forlights to draw an occupant's attention. A typical configuration is theuse of fluorescent lamps at 4100 degrees K. Also typical is the use ofdaylight as a complement to artificial sources with poor colorrendition, such as high-pressure sodium lamps in a daylight warehouse.In such a case, the presence of daylight greatly enhances the ability tosee colors accurately.

In order to ensure that naturally daylight interiors have high enoughillumination when used during evenings or during day times of lownatural illumination, artificial lights may be placed in fixtures inbetween skylights with approximately equal spacing between one or morefixtures. This arrangement also tends to increase work surfaceillumination uniformity even during periods of high natural daylight.

Common features of prior art skylights exist for finished and unfinishedceilings.

The instant disclosure provides a means to emulate natural daylight bythe utilizing devices within a system to artificially create effectscommon to daylight illumination of skylight structures. Providing a userperception of natural daylight not readily distinguishable from naturaldaylight results in user benefits observed for natural daylightexposure, including increased sales per square foot, higher employeeproductivity, reduced recovery times after surgical procedures,increased test scores, reduced employee absenteeism, and increasedoccupant satisfaction.

A detailed understanding of why natural daylight emulation affects anoutcome similar to exposure to natural daylight is recently emerging andmay involve a number of affective and cognitive factors. Circadianrhythms are biological cycles that have a period of about a day;numerous body systems undergo daily oscillations, including bodytemperature, hormonal and other biochemical levels, sleep, and cognitiveperformance. In humans, a pacemaker in the hypothalamus called thesuprachiasmatic nucleus drives these rhythms. Because the intrinsicperiod of the suprachiasmatic nucleus is not exactly 24 hours, it driftsout of phase with the solar day unless synchronized or entrained bysensory inputs, of which light is by far the most important cue. Whenhumans experience a sudden change in light cycle, as in air travel to anew time zone, they may suffer unpleasant mismatches betweeninstantaneous biological rhythms and local solar time, also known as jetlag. Normal synchrony is restored over several days via the rising andsetting of the sun; an abundance of artificial light frustrates thisresetting mechanism. Furthermore, chronic exposure to cyclical lightingpatterns different to those of the local solar time shifts localbiological rhythms, causing loss of attention, drowsiness, loweredproductivity, irritability, and general decrease of well-being. Thestrong ability for artificial light to alter circadian rhythms arisesfrom exposure frequency; typical participants in industrializedeconomies may spend a majority of waking hours under artificial lightingconditions. In some nations, lighting is the largest category ofelectricity consumption. Daylight emulation systems, while not exactlymatched to local solar conditions, can provide the body with a series ofsignals strongly correlated with local solar conditions, such that themismatch between artificial and natural daylight is reduced, causingless interference to natural daily biological patterns. Theseinterference reductions may beneficially affect occupant's behaviors,such as productivity, propensity to purchase goods and services, andgeneral wellbeing.

Social, market, cognitive, and economic factors also influence theeffect of natural daylight's ability to affect factors such asproductivity, propensity to purchase goods and services, and generalwellbeing. Typical building construction results in a limited supply ofwindows and skylights. For densely populated multi-story buildings, afraction of all working areas receive direct or indirect exposure tonatural daylight. Since scarcity can be a driving factor in relativevaluation, areas of ample natural daylight illumination are assignedhigher value, and may serve as rewards or incentives for performance orreserved for communal area such as atriums, cafeterias, and conferencerooms. A building has a limited supply of perimeter and corner offices,only a subset of which may include windows. A building also has alimited supply of floors directly below the roof, only a subset of whichmay include skylights. Daylight emulation systems and fixtures, whilenot actually providing exposure to natural daylight, may providebuilding occupants the perception or belief of the presence of naturaldaylight and a beneficial outcome may be affected by a means of placeboeffect.

As such, affecting outcomes such as increased sales per square foot,higher employee productivity, reduced recovery times after surgicalprocedures, increased test scores, reduced employee absenteeism, orincreased occupant satisfaction comes from a combination of exposure tolighting conditions closely resembling lighting natural daylight and theuser perception that the light is emerging from a real skylight.Embodiments of the instant specification create at least one of theabove conditions.

An embodiment of the disclosure utilizes a lighting fixture whichincludes features common to or emulating the visual appearance ofskylight components, such as a splayed light well (3002 of FIG. 5A),splay (3), throat (2), or glazing (1 b) of FIG. 6 . As it relates todaylight emulating light fixtures, light wells are recessed surfacesconfigured at an angle greater than 5 degrees slope relative toarchitectural surfaces, such as walls and ceilings. Light wells providefor ample vertical surfaces upon which light may be substantiallynon-uniformly directed to provide the visual appearance of a highlydirectional source, a key feature of actual sunlight. Embodimentsincluding components common to or emulating the visual appearance ofskylight components serve to provide visual signatures of real skylightsand also to provide additional surfaces upon which non-uniformillumination may be directed to provide visual signatures of direct andmoving light such as the sun. An embodiment utilizes light well with arecessed surface with a total height of at least ten centimeters.Another embodiment utilizes light well throats with a recessed surfacewith a total width of at least thirty centimeters. Another embodimentutilizes light wells throats with surfaces constructed of materialstypical to actual skylights, including gypsum board, acoustic tile,plywood, natural or synthetic wood, textile, plastic, glass, steel oraluminum. Another embodiment utilizes light wells with surfaces coatedwith materials typical to actual skylights, including diffuse, matte,gloss, or semi-reflective painted surfaces, including variant of neutralwhite, beige, or unsaturated colors matched to architectural surfaceselsewhere in the building interior.

Another embodiment of the disclosure utilizes light well with splayswith angles of 25 degrees-65 degrees relative to the ceiling. Anotherembodiment utilizes daylight emulating light fixtures with total ceilingfootprints corresponding to multiples of the ceiling tile, such as 2′ or4′.

An embodiment of the disclosure utilizes an occupant observable glazingtypical to skylights. An embodiment utilizes a glazing constructed ofplastic or glass. An embodiment utilizes a glazing colored as clear ortranslucent white, bronze, or gray. An embodiment utilizes a glazingshaped as flat, at an angle greater than 5 degrees slope relative to theceiling, or in a faceted framing system that assumes various pyramidshapes. An embodiment utilizes a plastic glazing shaped as a molded domeor pyramid.

An embodiment of the disclosure utilizes a light fixture configured suchthat no structural supports are directly observable to a building useraside from during installation and maintenance, such as is the typicalcase for an actual skylight.

An embodiment of the disclosure utilizes a spatial configuration ofdaylight emulating light fixtures that closely resembles a typicalspacing for actual skylights. For example, inter-emulator spacing may beapproximately the same as those typical for natural skylight spacing,such as a dimension less than 1.4 times the ceiling height. In anotherembodiment, inter-emulator spacing with large splayed elements may be140% of ceiling height plus twice the distance of the lateral splaydimension plus the emulator light well lateral width.

Another embodiment of the disclosure utilizes artificial light fixturestypical to building interiors which are not intended to emulate daylightconfigured in an arrangement to emulate a system comprised of naturalskylights supplemented with artificial light. In such an embodiment,inter-emulator spacing and inter-artificial light fixture spacing areset such that an overall configuration emulating a typical arrangementof the corresponding configuration is achieved.

Another embodiment of the disclosure utilizes artificial light fixturestypical to building interiors that not intended to emulate daylight withlamps possessing correlated color temperatures typical to artificiallight fixtures configured to supplement skylights. In an embodiment, theartificial light fixtures may be fluorescent lamps with correlated colortemperatures of 4100 degrees K arranged in ceiling troffers.

Another embodiment of the disclosure utilizes artificial light fixturestypical to building interiors that not intended to emulate daylight withlamps possessing color rendering indices typical to artificial lightfixtures configured to supplement skylights. In an embodiment, theartificial light fixtures may be fluorescent lamps with color renderingindices of 60-85 arranged in ceiling troffers.

FIG. 5A shows the luminaire installed in a ceiling (3006) wherein theceiling is constructed of ceiling tiles (3008). This embodiment differsfrom that shown in FIG. 5 in that there is a very short throat in thisembodiment. This allows for installation in ceilings having littleclearance.

Mechanical aspects of the disclosure may utilize a skylight assembly, orskylight luminaire (3000).

FIG. 7 illustrates a view from under a bottom side of skylight assembly(3000).

FIG. 8 illustrates a view from the top of the same embodiment.

Tuning control algorithms 164 may include color temperature tuning,intensity tuning and the like. Color temperature tuning may includegenerating a dynamic, daylight quality spectrum with color temperaturetuned to sun position based on geography and time of day. Intensitytuning may include generating a dynamic, daylight quality spectrum withintensity tuned to sun position based on geography and time of day.Tuning control algorithms 164 may generate a dynamic, daylight qualityspectrum with at least one of intensity, directionality and colortemperature tuned to sun position based on at least one of geography andtime of day, wherein the light mixes light from multiple sources toprovide a range of color temperatures spanning from 3000K or less to6000K or more with a color rendering index (CRI) greater than 85.

The light sources may be comprised of multiple types, such as surfacemount light emitting diodes (LEDs), packaged LED emitters, through holeLEDs, arrays of LEDs in a common package (chip-on-board devices), orcollections of packaged LED emitters attached to a common board or lightengine. The LEDs may be comprised of down conversion phosphors ofmultiple types, including YAG:Ce phosphors, oxynitride chemicalcompounds, nitride chemical compounds, rare earth garnets such aslutetium aluminum garnet, rare earth oxynitride compounds, silicatecompounds, phosphor films, quantum dot, nanoparticles, organicluminophores, or any blend thereof, collectively referred to as phosphorcoatings. The phosphor coatings may also be disposed on other opticalelements such as lenses, diffusers, reflectors and mixing chambers.Incident light impacts the phosphors coatings causing the spectrum ofimpinging light to spread.

Light sources may also include organic light emitting diodes (OLEDs),polymer LEDs, or remotely arranged downconverter materials comprised ofa range of compounds. The semiconductor source of light generation mayinclude one or more semiconductor layers, including silicon, siliconcarbide, gallium nitride and/or other semiconductor materials, asubstrate which may include sapphire, silicon, silicon carbide, and/orother microelectronic substrates, and one or more contact layers whichmay include metal and/or other conductive layers. The design andfabrication of semiconductor light emitting devices is well known tothose having skill in the art and need not be described in detailherein.

The positioning of individual light sources with respect to each otherthat will produce the desired light appearance at least partiallydepends on the viewing angle of the sources, which can vary widely amongdifferent devices. For example, commercially available LEDs can have aviewing angle as low as about 10 degrees and as high as about 180degrees. This viewing angle affects the spatial range over which asingle source can emit light, but it is closely tied with the overallbrightness of the light source. Generally, the larger the viewing angle,the lower the brightness. Accordingly, the light sources having aviewing angle that provides a sufficient balance between brightness andlight dispersion is thought to be desirable in the lighting fixture.

The intensity of each of multiple channels of lighting elements may beadjusted by a range of means, including pulse width modulation, two wiredimming, current modulation, or any means of duty cycle modulation.

In embodiments, tuning control algorithms 164 may also include weathertuning and tuning based on other environmental conditions. Weathertuning may include at least one of intensity, directionality and colortemperature, which may be based on the sun position (which may be basedon at least one of geography and time of day) and based on emulating aweather condition for a local or remote environment, such as cloud coverconditions, cloud thickness conditions, a snow condition, a raincondition, an air pollution condition, a fog condition and the like.Weather conditions may be stored in weather data database 152. A usermay wish to have the lighting system 100 replicate outside conditions ata current location or replicate conditions at some other position. Forexample, a user in the far North may wish to emulate conditions in atropical island during the winter.

In embodiments, methods and systems are provided wherein tuning a windowor skylight with a control algorithm 164 adjusts delivered daylightbased on weather, and the display 160 shows an image of the currentoutside weather conditions, such as captured by an external camera 170or color photo sensor having a network connection, which may bepositioned to capture images outside a building where the system 100 ispositioned, or may be positioned at a remote location, such as tocapture images of desired scenery.

In embodiments, methods and systems are provided wherein the heat system107 includes an integral radiant heat source that is controlled, such asby the environmental condition control system 140, to provide acorrelation between heater power flow and cloud cover conditions, suchas measured by a sensor or reported by an external weather database. Forexample, on a sunny day, the heater 107 may provide more warmth from thesystem 100, to simulate the warmth of the sun.

In embodiments, methods and systems are provided wherein a controlalgorithm is provided that uses a defined relationship between weatherconditions and tuned colorimetrics across an available color gamut,which is used to control the output of the fixture. For example, thecolor temperature of the lighting system 100 may be tuned to the colortemperature of the daylight conditions outside the building where thesystem 100 is positioned.

In embodiments, methods and systems are provided wherein a plurality ofmodular ceiling fixtures have weather condition variants that result intuned lighting that is synchronized and/or coordinated among thefixtures and configured for integration with the architectural features.For example, referring to FIG. 21 two systems 100 (Device 1 2102 andDevice 2 2104, each comprising a skylight system 100) may be positionednear each other, and the passing of clouds overhead may be simulated byhaving a darkening effect travel in the same direction across thedisplay 160, or by dimming the light engines 122 to simulate the impactof clouds, where the timing is coordinated to make it appear that theeffect is passing over the systems 100 in series, rather than at thesame time. For example, a change in the light level, color temperature,or other photometric output of Device 1 2102 can slightly precede asimilar change in Device 2 2104. Effects can vary depending on the typeof condition that is being simulated. High clouds can be simulated byvarying light levels and color temperature, while lower clouds orpassing objects might be simulated by displaying a shadow on the system100 or by projecting a shadow to the environment of the system 100 viathe light output of the system 100.

In embodiments, methods and systems are provided wherein a plurality ofmodular ceiling fixtures with lighting systems 100 are provided, whereweather condition variants result in tuned lighting or imagery that issynchronized among the fixtures.

In embodiments, methods and systems are provided wherein fixtures aretuned to weather, such as by referencing a library of images (or video)based on an Internet weather feed.

In one embodiment, the control algorithm 138 for tuning the output ofthe fixture is based on historical weather data. Illuminance versus timeof day can be fit to a quadratic equation of the form:Illuminance=P.sub.1*X′.sup.2+P.sub.2*X′+P.sub.3

where P.sub.1, P.sub.2, and P.sub.3 are fit parameters and X is the timeof day in minutes.

X is the re-centered and re-scaled version of X where:

X′=X-.mu..sub.1/.mu..sub.2 and .mu..sub.1 is mean X and .mu..sub.2 isthe standard deviation of X.

The values of these five fitting parameters as a function of day of yearare shown in FIG. 9 . Each of the parameters can be fit to furthercyclical functions and the coefficients can be stored to relateilluminance value to a function of time of day. The data in FIG. 9originate from calculated illuminances versus time of day fits to2007-2013 clear sky solar spectrum data from the US Department of EnergyNational Renewable Energy Laboratory spectroradiaometer at theMeasurement and Instrumentation Data Center in Colorado.

In an embodiment of the disclosure, a controlling input may be providedby a derived metric, such as cash register sales. The daylight emulatinglight fixture or system of fixtures may be manually or automaticallyaltered to change overall lighting performance in response to a meritfunction with variable such as seasonally adjusted sales turnover,patient recovery period, satisfaction survey result, occupant dwelltime, or a metric related to productivity such as emails sent, orders orcalls processed, mail sorted, or assembly time. The derived input may bemanually or automatically fed into the system controlling one or moredaylight emulating light fixtures.

Tuning based on environmental conditions may include at least one ofintensity, directionality and color temperature tuned to sun positionbased on at least one of geography and time of day and based onemulating an environmental condition selected from a group ofenvironmental conditions. Environmental conditions may include al albedocondition, a reflectivity condition, and opacity condition, a colorcondition, a building material condition, a shadow condition and thelike. Environmental conditions may be stored in environment datadatabase 158.

Environment sensors 124 may include environmental sensor data from atleast one external resource and a processing facility for modulating theoutput of the artificial lighting system 100 based on the environmentalsensor data, wherein the environmental sensor data is from a sensorselected from a group of environmental sensors. Environmental sensorsmay include light sensors, weather sensors, barometers, moisturesensors, temperature sensors, heat flux sensors occupancy detection andtracking sensors and the like. Occupancy detection and tracking sensorsmay include smoke detection sensors, temperature sensors, weather datasensors, sound collection sensors and motion detection sensors.Environmental sensor data may be stored in environment data database158. Environmental sensors may be connected by wireless repeaters.Environmental sensors may also be connected to a sound system.Environmental sensors may also provide sensor data streams. Sensor datastreams may be data and communications data streams and enable sensorintegration.

Tuning control algorithms 164 may also include spatial tuning of brightspots, reflections and shadows tuning. Spatial tuning may manage theposition of at least one of a bright spot, a shadow and a reflectionbased on a factor in the environment where the artificial lightingsystem 100 provides illumination, where the factor in the environment isselected from a group of factors requiring spatial tuning. Factorsrequiring spatial tuning may include a workspace location factor, adesktop location factor, a display screen location factor, a TV screenlocation factor, an art location factor, a mirror location factor, aneye-level location factor, a reading location factor and the like.Factors requiring spatial tuning may be stored in the environment datadatabase 158. Referring to FIG. 22 , the left plot corresponds to onelight setting 2202, and the right plot corresponds to another lightsetting 2204. The radial magnitude on the plots 2202, 2204 indicates thelight intensity, using polar coordinates. So the left view anglespectrum (polar candela distribution of a typical Lambertian source)would be brightest directly below the fixture. The right plot would bebrightest at approximately 30 degrees off axis from directly below thefixture. This is a bright spot moving between two light settings 2202,2204. These plots correspond to simulated moving bright spots.

Artificial lighting system 100 may include a networking facility thatfacilitates accessing a geo-location facility for identifying thegeo-location of the light. A networking facility that facilitatesaccessing a geo-location facility for identifying the geo-location ofthe light may also include a processing facility for determining theazimuth of the sun at the geo-location at a point in time. A networkingfacility that facilitates accessing a geo-location facility foridentifying the geo-location of the light may also include automaticallytuning the intensity, directionality and color temperature based on theazimuth and geo-location of the sun at the position. The azimuth andgeo-location of the sun at the position may be based on geography of theposition, time of day of the position and the like.

The LED and drivers light engine printed circuit board assembly (2610)may include microcontrollers. The micro controllers on each printedcircuit board assembly (PCBA) may receive commands from a master microcontroller about relative dimming levels for five LED channels and thelike. Commands may be specific to longitude, latitude, luminaireorientation, time of day, day of year and the like. Embodiments mayrespond to actual sky conditions.

A skylight assembly (3000) may include an on-board database whichrelated five channel drive settings to luminous flux output, colorrendering index, and correlated color temperature (CCT). The CCT andluminance set points may be derived from a set of closed form equationswith inputs. Inputs may be time of day, day of year, longitude,latitude, and luminaire orientation. The closed form equations for CCTand luminance may originate from numerical fits to observed historicaldata from weather stations. In one embodiment, control algorithms 138may be derived from analytically derived calculations of light spectrafor a surface arbitrarily located on the earth. A lighting program maybe manually altered by a user, administrator and the like. Thealteration may affect the closed form equations for CCT/luminance. Thenew program sequence may still reference the same control algorithms anddatabase to determine required channel compositions. Examples of achange to the lighting program may be to “adjust all CCTs up by 100K”,“adjust all luminance values down by 10%” and the like.

The sun position and solar spectral power density spectrum may berequired for any installation location at any time. In one embodiment,the spectral model originates from the equations described in Bird, R.E., and Riordan, C. J. (1986). “Simple Solar Spectral Model for Directand Diffuse Irradiance on Horizontal and Tilted Planes at the Earth'sSurface for Cloudless Atmospheres.” Journal of Climate and AppliedMeteorology. Vol. 25(1), January 1986; pp. 87-97. This model generates alist of illuminance values at specified wavelengths for surfaces atarbitrary positions and orientations and any time. That spectrum may bereduced to, for instance, a value of illuminance relative to daily peakilluminance and correlated color temperature, which may then be mappedto the four glazing diffusers by an analytically determined orexperimentally measured table of channel settings to proportionallyalter luminance to create the sense of a moving sun. In one embodiment,the illuminance spectrum is matched to glazing luminance settings of theluminaire glazings when the glazings are designed to strongly diffuse.In other cases, the correlated color temperatures are adjusted accordingto occupant override of algorithmic settings.

A controller can receive input as to the location on the earth and theday, month, and time of day and can calculate the spectrum, direction oflight and intensity that would be received. It then can control multiplelight sources surrounding the light well to generate a spectrum andintensity that simulates such light being received form the calculateddirection. Illuminating one or more of the sides of the light fixturegives the impression of light being received from a given direction.Lighting the top side appears to receive light at an angle form thebottom side. Lighting both the top and the right sides creates alighting gradient that gives the appearance of light being received fromthe left bottom corner. If all sides are lit, it looks like light isbeing received from directly overhead.

Using multiple light sources and controlling their output in a propermanner may result in the pattern shown in FIG. 11 . The numbersrepresent intensities.

In one embodiment, the input settings of one or more of longitude andlatitude to drive the algorithm are altered to correspond togeographical settings remote from the installation location for thepurposes of affecting occupant's circadian rhythms. Increasing longitudefrom local values results in a positive time shift and will shiftoccupant circadian rhythms to later in the day. Decreasing longitudefrom local values results in a negative time shift and will shiftoccupant circadian rhythms to earlier in the day. Decreasing latitudefrom local values results in an increase in perceived day length, andcan be used to counteract the seasonal reduction in day length thatoccurs in winter in northern latitudes and is correlated to seasonalaffective disorder. Increasing latitude from local values results in adecrease in perceived day length, and can be used to increase theoccupant sleepiness in late hours of the day.

Virtualization algorithms 142 may select an additional virtual effect. Avirtual effect may be an image virtual effect, a sound virtual effect, asmell virtual effect and a feel virtual effect that simulates an effectof a skylight, a window and the like. Sound virtual effects may includethe replication of sound, messaging and communications sounds, music andthe like. Replication of sound may be replication of sound as heardthrough windows and skylights, from spaces outside. Sound virtualeffects may include street noise sound, rain sound, lighting sound,waves crashing sound and the like. Messaging and communications soundsmay include a voice in the sky, such as a speaker in a cruise shipcabin. Music may be muted to sound like it is coming from the outside. Asmell virtual effect could include fresh cut grass, smells from thecountryside, salty ocean air and the like. A smell virtual effect couldbe released when a housing that includes the artificial lighting system100 is opened, for example. A feel virtual effect could be dynamicairflow from an open skylight or window, radiant heat and the like.

In embodiments, methods and systems are provided wherein a fan 104 orother ventilation element for moving air, a heater 107, a coolingfacility 109 or the like is integrated to allow simulation of a warm orcool breeze. The breeze may be controlled by the environmental conditioncontrol system 140, such as to emulate conditions in the outsideenvironment of a building in which the system 100 is disposed, or toemulate conditions at some other location. In embodiments of a system100, a virtual window may be provided for an interior office, where thewindow provides not only daylight emulating lighting, but also visualimagery 112 and a warm or cool breeze, so that the user perceives theinterior office as having realistic characteristics of an exterioroffice. Referring to FIG. 23 , an interior office 2352 has skylight anddaylight emulation systems 100 for emulation of natural daylight in theinterior office 2352, which are placed in the ceiling 2354 and wall 2360respectively. Workers in the interior office 2352 experience a daylightexperience despite being located beneath upper offices 2358 and adjacentoffice 2364, which in a conventional building would block the interioroffice 2352 from receiving daylight from above or from the side. Asresult, the interior office 2352 effectively emulates an exterioroffice, rendering it potentially more attractive for workers and alsomaking it possible for architects and designers to design spaces withfewer constraints, such as to take advantage of interior spaces thatnormally would be considered unsuitable for certain uses. Inembodiments, methods and systems are provided wherein a controlalgorithm is provided that uses a defined relationship between radiantheat power and tuned colorimetrics across a wide color gamut that isused to control an output of the fixture. For example, the heater 107may warm the air delivered by a fan 104, so that the air has anappropriate temperature that reflects the color of the illumination. Forexample, in the summer, when blue skies often correspond with hightemperatures, a breeze coming from a lighting system 100 may be warmwhen the color of the light corresponds with the cool color temperaturesof a bright blue sky. In the winter, when warmer days are usuallyassociated with lower pressure systems, which produce clouds, the heater107 may warm the air more on cloudy days and provide cooler breezes onbright days. Many such relationships may be defined, so that heat 107,cooling 109, movement of air by a fan 104, and scent may be controlledin association with the control of the color or color temperature oflight produced by light engines 122, to produce virtual effects thateffectively mimic real world effects.

In embodiments, methods and systems are provided wherein a controlalgorithm of a control system 128 is provided where a definedrelationship is provided between radiant heat power produced by aheating facility 107 of a system 100 and location of the system 100,such as reflecting outside temperatures across a wide geography. Therelationship may be used to control the output of the fixture, includingoutput from light engines 122 and from the heating facility 107. Otheroutputs, such as the speed of a fan 104, corresponding sounds 105 andscents 106, or the like may also be defined in such a relationship.

In embodiments, methods and systems are provided wherein an integralradiant heat source in a fixture has positive correlation between heaterpower flow and light levels, thus approximating the relationship betweencold overcast days to hot sunny days.

In embodiments, methods and systems are provided wherein a modularceiling skylight fixture or window, embodied as an artificial lightingsystem 100 as described herein, is provided with a ventilation system,such as enabled by a fan and/or one or more conduits. FIG. 24A shows aview from a room of a dropped ceiling mounted recessed light fixture2402 appearing as a typical light fixture. FIG. 24B shows a view fromthe ceiling of the fixture 2402, where an opening in the plenum ratedlight fixture 2402 mounts to the ventilation duct 2404. In embodiments,a control system for ventilation, such as a ventilation register, may beprovided that can be controlled together with the lighting system 100,such as with a single interface, where actuation of the register forventilation may be encoded with commands for desired conditions, such asfor ‘fresh air’. In embodiments, the source of fresh air may be fromoutside of a building, such as to increase oxygen levels, as compared torecirculating internal building air, which may otherwise have loweroxygen and higher carbon dioxide and higher volatile organic compoundlevels. In embodiments, a filter may be provided for filtering outsideair to remove any undesired components, such as CO2, particulates,ozone, or the like.

In embodiments, methods and systems are provided wherein an effect, suchas a lighting effect, imagery effect, or other effect (such as heating,cooling, ventilation, scent, or the like) is distributed over aplurality of modular ceiling fixtures with partial display on each. Thismay be controlled by the synchronization module 172 for managingmultiple lighting systems 100, including tracking information about theabsolute and relative position and orientation of such systems 100, aswell as managing timing for display of images across multiple systems100. In embodiments, methods and systems are provided wherein a dynamicimagery effect is distributed over a plurality of modular ceilingfixtures with partial display on each.

In embodiments, methods and systems are provided wherein a display mayhave imagery that makes a skylight or window appear real, whileproviding realistic daylight, which may involve separate handling of theimagery and the daylight under distinct protocols in the control systems138.

In embodiments, methods and systems are provided wherein the library ofavailable imagery is restricted or resized relative to the results of adesign method. For example, only images that have an appropriate imagesize, image form factor, or resolution, may be made available to anartificial lighting system 100, depending on its size, shape and displaycapabilities.

In embodiments, methods and systems are provided wherein the library ofavailable images, such as in the display content database 154, isspecific to the form factor of the lighting system 100. For instancehorizontal form factors (skylights) may show sky related images(clouds), while vertical form factors (windows) may show street relatedimages (e.g., moving vehicle patterns).

In embodiments, methods and systems are provided wherein fixtures areprovided with a library of displays of imagery tuned to knownbiological/psychological outcomes, such as calmness, excitement, andsadness intended to affect mood and behavior.

In embodiments, a kit 114 may be provided with a skylight to fit astandard ceiling, with pre-configured network capability (such that itworks out of the box), with a user account that can be configured toallow access to a library of images. In embodiments, the kit maycomprise a library of videos. In embodiments, the kit may enable a livefeed, such as of video from a remote camera.

FIG. 12 illustrates an embodiment of a frame for glazing diffusers. Theframe for glazing diffusers may be constructed with mullions withdimensions typical to conventional skylights, an embodiment of which isillustrated as the pyramidal glazing (3004) with visible mullions. Theskylight luminaire may also include housings to provide convective airflow for electronics cooling. The dimension of the skylight luminaireuser-side ceiling foot print may be matched to the typical acoustic tilegrid size of two feet wide by two feet in length.

An embodiment of the disclosure utilizes multiple light sources withinlight engine (2004) with color temperature, color rendering performance,and viewing angle configured such that at least one light source isconfigured to emulate sunlight and at least one light source isconfigured to emulate skylight. The light source may be LEDs, such asthose on the light engine printed circuit board assembly (2610 of FIG.13 ), configured to emulate sunlight and may have a viewing angle lesserthan the light source configured to emulate skylight. The light sourceconfigured to emulate sunlight may have a correlated color temperaturelower than the light source configured to emulate skylight. The lightsource configured to emulate sunlight may have color renderingperformance greater or lesser than the light source configured toemulate skylight as quantified by color rending index.

An embodiment of the disclosure utilizes a light well with a lightsource configured to emulate sunlight such that direct illumination ofthe light well is clearly observable to at least one building occupant.The light source is configured to create a substantially non-uniformillumination of the light well in a manner characteristic of a brightpoint source of light, such as the sun, including distinct areas oflight and shadow and clear boundaries between such areas. The lightsource may be configured such that the distinct areas and boundaryregion move over the course of the day, such as would be created bymovement of the sun across the sky. An embodiment utilizes an array oflight sources which are mechanically actuated such that the distinctareas and boundary region on the light walls shifts throughout the dayas to emulate the movement of the sun. An embodiment utilizes an arrayof light sources which are electronically controlled such that thedistinct areas and boundary region on the light walls shifts throughoutthe day as to emulate the movement of the sun. An embodiment utilizes alight source configured to emulate sunlight with a correlated colortemperature with a value within 20% of the correlated color temperatureof the direct sunlight present at that time of day. An embodimentutilizes a light source configured to emulate sunlight with a colorrendering index of at least 90. An embodiment includes a minimumseparation of six inches from an array of highly directional lightsources and an illuminated surface on the opposite facing light wellthroat.

An embodiment of the disclosure utilizes light sources that areedge-illuminated light guides (402, as shown in FIG. 20 ), as a luminoussurface directly viewable to occupants as surfaces of the glazing, lightwell, throat, or splay. Areas of graded brightness are achieved throughthe selective illuminated of lighting channels distributed over the edgefaces. For example in FIG. 20 , various visual effects of gradedbrightness are achieved through selective illumination of edge channels,each of which may correspond to the visual effect created by theillumination of a surface of the light well throat by a directionallight source such as the sun. An embodiment utilizes as least one edgeilluminated light guides (402). Another embodiment utilizes four edgeilluminated light guides (402) configured to illuminate the light wallthroat observable by a building user. Another embodiment utilizes agroove or channel in the edge faces of the light guide (402) tofacilitate optical coupling and assembly of the light source. A lightguide (402) may be constructed of materials such as are well known tothose versed in the art. A light guide (402) may be patterned withsubstantially non-uniform structures or coatings to control light outputusing methods and arrangements that are well known to those versed inthe art.

Therefore, by selectively activating the light sources, or combinationsof the light sources, it is possible to emulate light being receivedform a specific direction.

An embodiment of the disclosure utilizes a glazing formed ofedge-illuminated light guide (402) to emulate diffuse skylight. Thisconfiguration has principle benefits of reducing light source partcount, increasing light source homogeneity, and reducing the verticaldimension between the top of the emulator and the glazing.

An embodiment of the disclosure utilizes a glazing possessing aplurality of surfaces each viewable to a building occupant and facing adifferent direction. The surfaces may be directly connected or connectedby way of a framing or mullion member. Each of the surfaces are backlitby one or more light sources configured to emulate diffuse skylight andsuch that the average luminance and correlated color temperature aresubstantially different at any given time in a manner that mayoptionally change over the course of a day to emulate an effect of amoving direct source such as the sun. For instance, the surface facingthe direction of the emulated sunlight may have a lower correlated colortemperature and a higher luminance compared to one or more adjacentsurfaces that are configured to emulate skylight having a highercorrelated color temperature and a lower luminance. As the emulated suntraverses the emulated sky, the relationship between the surfaces mayswitch, indicating a change in time to a building occupant through themovement of light. Further, daylight emulator elements that may beincluded, such as a light well, may be non-uniformly illuminated by theplurality of surfaces, contributing to a sense to a building occupantthat a direction of the sunlight has shifted.

An embodiment of the disclosure utilizes a light source configured toemulate skylight that is substantially non-uniform formed byindependently addressable light pixels, such that a rudimentary displayilluminates the daylight emulator glazing. The display is configured toproduce at least two regions of illumination with substantiallydifferent correlated color temperatures and luminance. At least oneregion has substantially higher correlated color temperature thananother region, such that the former represents a clear blue sky and thelatter represents a cloudy area. At least one region has substantiallyhigher luminance than another region, such that the latter represents aclear blue sky and the former represents a cloudy area. The boundary ofthe two regions may visually traverse the glazing to provide anemulation of moving cloud cover. The display will be controlled usingcontrolling inputs that may be derived from one or more photosensors ora data stream derived from external weather measurements orobservations.

An embodiment of the disclosure utilizes a light well configured toemulate a skylight light well that is substantially taller than thevertical dimension of the daylight emulating light fixture achieved bythe inclusion of a mirror. In this configuration, a mirror is arrangedto fold light by 45 degrees and the light well is continuedhorizontally, with one section of the light well below the mirror beingapproximately vertical and another section of the light wellbeingapproximately horizontal. Using this method, a light well can beutilized that has an effective length which is longer than that would bepermitted in an unfolded geometry due to interference with non-lightingbuilding infrastructure above the ceiling or in the plenum, includingwithout limitation heating, ventilation, cooling, data, andtelecommunication components.

An embodiment of the disclosure utilizes a light source configured toemulate daylight by illuminating a substantially translucent or diffuseglazing such that direct observation of the image of the light source isnot possible by a building user aside from during installation andmaintenance. An embodiment utilizes a light source configured to emulateskylight with a correlated color temperature with a value within 20% ofthe correlated color temperature of the diffuse skylight present at thattime of day, which may create conditions that vary over a wide range,such as those created by an actual skylight during periods of overcastor patchy clouds, fog, clear or rainy skies.

An embodiment of the disclosure utilizes a light source configured toemulate sunlight with a color rendering index of at least 90. Analternative embodiment utilizes a light source configured to emulatedaylight with a correlated color temperature that is greater than thecorrelated color temperature of artificial light fixtures in the nearvicinity of the daylight emulating light fixture by at least 500 degreesK and preferably by at least 1000 degrees K. The differences incorrelated color temperature are utilized to provide visual clues thatthe daylight emulating light fixtures are colorimetrically distinct fromthe more common light fixtures using, for instance, fluorescent,halogen, or incandescent lamps, such as is the case with naturaldaylight. The difference in correlated color temperature may be set atthe factory at the time of production, or by a technician during fixtureinstallation.

An embodiment of the disclosure utilizes a glazing that is substantiallyoptically non-uniform in a manner to provide visual signatures ofelements commonly observed on actual skylight, such as cross bars,mullions, honeycombed patterned, blinds, louvers, or wire reinforced tosimulate fire rated glass. An embodiment includes visual elements commonto skylights in need of periodic maintenance and which may be otherwiseconsidered local external obstructions, such as bird droppings, fungalgrowth, plant growth, leaves, water induced mineralization, stains,pooling water marks, tree branches, or puddles. The visual elements maybe created by a number of means, including without limitation adhesivedecals, and partially transparent and partially coated plastic elements.The elements may be configured behind the glazing, such that the imageof the element may be obscured through an optionally diffuse glazing.

An embodiment of the disclosure utilizes a light source configured toemulate daylight constructed by an array of printed circuit boardassemblies that are substantially similar. In this manner, daylightemulation fixtures of a range of overall sizes may be constructed from acommon component. For instance, the array may possess a lateraldimension within 10% of a factor of a lateral dimension a suspendedceiling grid, such as 6, 12, 18, or 24 inches. Such printed circuitboard assemblies may be connected by board to board or board to wire toboard connectors in a manner to facilitate fixture assembly.

An embodiment of the disclosure utilizes at least two daylight emulatinglight fixtures with substantially similar performance characteristics.Establishing believable daylight emulation requires consistency amongindividual units, and key characteristics such as correlated colortemperature, color rendering performance, and average brightness must bematched to within 20% and preferably within 10% and more preferablywithin 5%. The shape of the substantially optically non-uniform areaswithin the light well as a function of time should be substantiallysimilar, and average angular difference should be within 20% andpreferably within 10% and more preferably within 5%. The difference incorrelated color temperature may be set at the factory at the time ofproduction, by a technician during fixture installation, or by a controlsystem responding to user input manual overrides to a given lightfixture, which may periodically shift performance characteristics tomaintain inter-fixture consistency.

An embodiment of the disclosure utilizes a light source in the lightengine (2004) configured to emulate daylight comprised of multiple LEDson board the light engine printed circuit board assembly (2610) withdistinct spectra in a composition such that the additive and opticallyhomogenized resultant light source substantially emulates the correlatedcolor temperature and color rendering performance of daylight. Thespectral power density need not be substantially similar to daylight, asthe daylight has substantial optical power in wavelength ranges notvisible to building occupants. The light source may be configured withindependently addressable channels such that the correlated colortemperature can be adjusted to a desired value according to controllerinput. The number of LEDs with distinct spectra need not, and isdesirably greater than the number of independently addressable lightingchannels to reduce controller complexity and total part count.

The current disclosure may include a light distribution assemblies(2010). FIG. 13 illustrates a solid model, top perspective, andpartially transparent view of the light distribution assemblies (2010).The light distribution assemblies (2010) may include a secondary coatedsurface diffuser (3402), secondary optical mixing chamber (2614),secondary optical diffuser (2616), primary diffuser (2620), and primaryoptical mixing chamber (2618). The secondary optical diffuser (2616) maybe made from highly reflective and predominantly diffuse sheet metal andthe like. The secondary optical mixing chamber (2614) may be made fromhigh reflective and predominantly specular sheet metal and the like. Thesecondary optical diffuser (2616) may be made from a “Lambertian-like”view angle rigid plastic sheet and the like. The primary diffuser (2620)may be made from narrow view angle optical film mounted on a rigidplastic sheet and the like. The primary optical mixing chamber (2618)may be made from highly reflective and predominantly specular sheetmetal and the like. The highly reflective primary optical mixing chamber(2618) causes multiple reflections of the light to mix the frequencies.

Here the plurality of speed controlled fans (2604) in the electronicshousing (2612) can be seen. There are also heat sinks that are notvisible. All is housed in the splayed electrical housing (2008).

Each luminaire quadrant may be independently addressed to provideperceived movement of sun through space specific addressing of color andpeak luminance, as if a rudimentary display, when the glazing diffusersare viewed directly. Independently addressable glazing diffusers mayprovide for non-uniform illumination of the light well providing forlighter, darker, and shadowed regions, as is present in realarchitectural daylighting features.

FIG. 11 is an illustration of an architectural skylight on clear day.The numbers shown on each diffuser of glazing of the skylight are peakluminance (intensity) in Cd/m2. Each diffuser of glazing in the pyramidskylight shows a different luminance and correlated color temperaturedepending on azimuth and zenith angle of sun.

Each PCBA of the present disclosure may have multiple independentlyaddressable LED channels mixed to provide light spectrum with high colorrendition with color coordinates close to black body equivalent overwide range of correlated color temperatures. An embodiment of thepresent disclosure may have 5 addressable LED channels. Each lightengine may have multiple LEDs per light engine with multiple uniquespectra under five channels of independent control. An embodiment mayhave 89 LEDs per light engine with 9 unique spectra under 5 channels ofindependent control.

The current disclosure may have a multi-stage two stage mixing chamberwith diffuser apertures. An embodiment may have a two stage mixingchamber with diffuser apertures for color and light mixing such that anyLED on PCBA uniformly illuminates arbitrarily sized glazing diffuser.The size may be triangular and the like.

Cost minimization in the current disclosure may be facilitated by usingLEDs without regard to constraints on LED luminous flux and peakluminance when used at input to a two stage light mixing chamberconfiguration.

FIG. 14 illustrates an example of the power density over a spectrum fora multi-channel light engine, according to embodiments of the claimedsystem. FIG. 14 illustrates simulated spectral output of a naturaldaylight emulating luminaire according to embodiments of the currentapplication with reference to terrestrial daylight spectrum and showsplots of spectral power density vs. wavelength for daylight and threedifferent emission spectra.

Various light sources that emit various spectra may be simultaneouslyoperated to simulate a desired spectrum.

Adjustment of individual light levels is achieved through pulse widthmodulation (PWM), pulse amplitude modulation (PAM) or a combination ofboth PWM and PAM of the LED current or voltage. PWM dimming involvesreduction of pulse width, thereby reducing the duty cycle of theactivation pulses. Activation pulses after PWM dimming have the sameamplitude (current or voltage), but have a reduced width. Therefore, thePWM dimming waveform has a lower applied current or voltage. However,the peak current/voltage is unchanged. PWM dimming may result inoccupant detection of stroboscopic effects and flicker.

PAM may also be used for dimming. PAM reduces the amplitude (current orvoltage) of the waveform when dimming, but keeps the same average pulsewidth.

A combined PWM and PAM dimming would decrease both the pulse width andthe pulse amplitude (current or voltage) while dimming.

Please note that increasing illumination would encompass increasingpulse width of the waveform, PWM, or increasing pulse amplitude (currentor voltage), PAM or both increasing the pulse width and the pulseamplitude.

In one embodiment, dimming of light levels of multiple LED channels withunique emission spectra results in a shift in color coordinates andcorrelated color temperature.

Analog dimming is another method known by those in the art to dimindividual light levels and is effected through changing the currentlevel continuously such that both average and peak current change as afunction of time. Analog dimming methods result in LED emission spectrachanges.

There are two pathways to the visual perception of flicker. Flicker canbe perceived directly if the frequency is low enough (below 100 Hz).Even at frequencies where flicker cannot be directly perceived, it canbe perceived indirectly through stroboscopic effects, sometimes calledphantom arrays or wagon-wheel effects.

In addition to frequency and duty cycle, perception of flicker is alsoaffected by modulation depth, or the range of light output between thehigh/on and low/off levels in a flickering light waveform. Use ofcomplete modulation depths between on and off states has the highestfrequency threshold for occupant detection (Bullough J. D., K. SweaterHickcox, T. R. Klein, and N. Narendran. 2011: “Effects of flickercharacteristics from solid-state lighting on detection, acceptabilityand comfort,” Lighting Research and Technology 43(3): 337-348.).Bullough et al. also report that stroboscopic effect detection occurredfor PWM frequencies from <1 Hz to 10,000 Hz. The frequency threshold foruser acceptability was lower at about 1,000 Hz.

The range of human hearing extends from approximately 20 Hz to 20,000Hz. PWM dimming methods can result in circuit components vibrations atthe same frequency, resulting in audible noise.

Emulation of natural daylight is desirably unaccompanied by flicker andstroboscopic effects detection and audible noise. In one embodiment, thelight sources are modulated through PWM at frequencies higher than 10kHz, and desirably above 20 kHz, and preferably above 25 kHz. Methods tomodulate LEDs at frequencies above 25 kHz are known to those in the art.

An embodiment of the disclosure utilizes the building cooling system todump heat generated by the daylight emulating light fixture, such as isachieved through direct physical contact or through an opening incooling ducts such that air with a temperature below that of the fixtureis directed onto the fixture. An embodiment utilizes apertures notvisible to the building occupant which allow the passage of air from thelight well into the plenum or area above the ceiling such that air withan elevated temperature does not collect in the light well and functionto frustrate passive convective cooling of the daylight emulation lightfixture. Outlets may be included at the top of the fixture, and inletsmay be included at the bottom of the fixture. Such elements would bedesigned to facilitate natural air flow using methods well known tothose versed in the art.

An embodiment of the disclosure utilizes at least one electricallypowered fan configured specific to the daylight emulating fixture toaffect active convection of thermal energy away from the fixture. Analternative embodiment includes a heat sink with fins to facilitate heattransfer through passive or active convection. An alternative embodimentincludes heat pipes in the light walls or above the glazing to movethermal energy to other heat dissipating components to reduce operatingtemperatures of the light sources. Such elements would be designed tofacilitate heat transfer using methods well known to those versed in theart.

The current disclosure may include a thermal assembly subset asillustrated in FIG. 13 . The thermal assembly may include a plurality ofspeed controlled fans (2604) in a closed system control with thermistorsmounted on the light engine PCBA (2610), a thermal interface materialbetween the PCBA and heat sink (2608), and an FR-4 PCB with high heatelements in front of a heat sink (2608). An embodiment may include twospeed controlled fans. LEDs and drivers may be place to minimizecomponent failure and thermal de-rating of luminous flux, which may beachieved through minimizing temperature differences across a printedcircuit board. The printed circuit board may be a 31 mil thick FR-4polymer board with array of 0.01 inch diameter unfilled thermal vias at0.025 inch centers.

An embodiment of the disclosure utilizes visually pronounced elements inor above the light well included to establish the illusion of a distancegreater than actually exists within the light well. For example, twodimension representations of three dimensional objects or viewstypically include graded colorations, shadows and shading, andboundaries representing three dimensional parallel directionsrepresented as non-parallel lines. Such elements provide for an expandedillusion of greater depth, and several means to achieve such effects arewell known to those versed in the art.

The methods and systems may further include providing a communicationfacility of the lighting system, wherein the lighting system responds todata from an exterior source, such as communicated by a wireless orwired signal. In some embodiments the signal source may include a sensorfor sensing an environmental condition, and the control of the lightingsystem is in response to the environmental condition. The sensor may beplaced far from the daylight emulation fixture, at a distancesubstantially farther away from the center of the daylight emulationfixture than the largest dimension of the light well. One sensor mayprovide controlling inputs for more than one daylight emulation fixture.In some embodiments the signal source may be from a pre-set lightingprogram.

The current disclosure may have multiple light engines. An embodimentmay have four light engines, a controller, and an interface to aweb-based graphical user interface (GUI). FIG. 15 illustrates a GUIaccording to embodiments of the current disclosure. The GUI may includea standard day light sequence selection button (3802), a user definedsequence selection button (3804), and the like. The user definedsequence selection button (3804) may include an intensity selectorslider bar (3806), a color selector slider bar (3808), and the like. TheGUI may also include a group selection bar (4002), an exteriorconditions selector button (4004), regional day light sequence selectorbutton (4006), standard day light sequence selector button (4008),static selector button (4010) and the like. The GUI may be passwordprotected. One of the light engines may be the master light engine thatsends and/or received signals to a controller. The other three lightengines may be slave light engines that send and/or report to the masterlight engine. The controller may have the capability of relaying asignal via a communication protocol for the GUI to interpret and displayan interface used by a user to control the current disclosure.Communication protocols may be wireless communication protocols or wiredcommunication protocols. Wireless communication protocols may includeWi-Fi, wi-max, 3G, LTE, and the like. Wired communication protocols mayinclude Ethernet, other Internet Protocol (IP) communication protocols,and the like.

Referring still to FIG. 15 , the GUI may be password protected. One ofthe light engines may be the master light engine that sends and/orreceives signals to a controller. The other light engines may be slavelight engines that send and/or report to the master light engine. Anembodiment may have three slave light engines. The controller may havethe capability of relaying a signal via a communication protocol for theGUI to interpret and display an interface used by a user to control thecurrent disclosure. Communication protocols may be wirelesscommunication protocols or wired communication protocols. Wirelesscommunication protocols may include Wi-Fi, wi-max, 3G, LTE, and thelike. Wired communication protocols may include Ethernet, other InternetProtocol (IP) communication protocols, and the like.

Upon system initiation and start-up, the current disclosure may executea standard sequence of illumination configurations. The standardsequence of illumination configurations may autonomously run on thecurrent disclosure until a command is received to alter or modify thestandard sequence. A command received to alter or modify the standardsequence may be propagated to other skylight emulation systems asdescribed by the current disclosure which are within the same room.Embodiments may allow for the monitoring of the light color in real-timeto correct for differential LED degradation. Channel settings may bebased on real-time sky conditions.

In embodiments of the current disclosure, the light engine PCBA (2610)may receive a signal by DMX (0-255), serial (3 digit hex), digitaladdressable lighting interface (DALI), 0-10V dimming, and the like. Inembodiments the skylight luminaire may respond to command within atleast one second.

The current disclosure may include a master server unit. The masterserver unit may host webpage and the main GUI. The master server unitmay communicate with the skylight luminaires via a communicationprotocol. Communication protocols may be wireless communicationprotocols or wired communication protocols. Wireless communicationprotocols may include Wi-Fi, wi-max, 3G, LTE, and the like. Wiredcommunication protocols may include Ethernet, other Internet Protocol(IP) communication protocols, and the like.

Multiple skylight luminaries may be grouped together and controlledsimultaneously. Commands may be modified among skylight luminaries toaccount for differing spatial orientation.

Artificial lighting system 100 may be configured to provide anadditional imagery effect 112 to a lighting effect. Imagery effect 112may be selected from a group of images. Images may include a sky image,a cloud image, a landscaping image and the like.

Imagery effect 112 may be a static imagery effect, a dynamic imageryeffect or a multi-skylight imagery effect. A multi-skylight effect maydisplay movement across various skylights within a space. Imagery effect112 may integrate static and dynamic transparent imagery. Static anddynamic transparent imagery may include cloud imagery, landscape imageryand the like. Imagery effect 112 may include lighting effects. Lightingeffects may include color patterns, light show and the like. Imageryeffect 112 may include night time lighting. Night time lighting mayinclude simulating fireworks shows and a night time city environment,for example.

Artificial lighting system 100 may be configured to provide a display160 of an effect. An effect may be selected from a group of effects.Effects may include a video effect, an animation effect, acolor-changing effect, a light show effect, and indicator effect and thelike.

Artificial lighting system 100 may be configured to provide a soundeffect to a lighting effect. Sound effect may be configured to emulatethe sound transmitted through at least one of a skylight and a window.Sound effect may be selected from a group of air, sound and scenteffects 104. Sound effects may include a sound of crashing waves effect,a sound of wind effect, a sound of insects effect, a sound of a machineeffect, a sound of music effect, a sound of communication effect and thelike.

Artificial lighting system 100 may be configured to provide a feeleffect in addition to a lighting effect. A feel effect may be configuredto emulate a feeling transmitted through at least one of a window and askylight. A feel effect may be selected from a group of feel effects.Feel effects may include a feeling of warmth that emulates fromtransmitted sunlight effect and a feeling of dynamic airflow effect. Afeel effect may also be selected from a group of air, sound and scenteffects 104.

Artificial lighting system 100 may be configured with a form factor thatresembles an architectural feature. Form factor may be an architecturalform factor. An architectural form factor may be a skylightarchitectural form factor, a window architectural form factor, a transomarchitectural form factor, a sliding door architectural form factor, amirror architectural form factor and the like. A window architecturalform factor may be a transom window architectural form factor, a panedwindow architectural form factor, a pane-less window architectural formfactor and the like.

Artificial lighting system 100 may be configured in a form factoradapted to fit into the space of a standard ceiling tile and to createthe appearance of a skylight. Form factor may have a configuration. Aconfiguration may be a two-foot-by-two-foot configuration, atwo-foot-by-four-foot configuration, a four-foot-by-four-footconfiguration and the like. The form factor may be a standardconfigurable form factor. A standard configurable form factor may be askylight feature form factor or a design form factor. A standardconfigurable form factor may be sized. A standard configurable formfactor may be sized for ceiling tile replacement, sized for standardwindow replacement and sized to match standard features.

Standard features may be windows, for example. Form factor may be acustom form factor. Custom form factor may be light engines 122 behindarchitectural features or glass. Custom form factors may also be lightengines 122 hidden behind glazed glass, placed in coves or niches andthe like.

The desired form factor may be achieved through the use of a custom formfactor kit 114. Custom form factor kit 114 may be a facility for forminga housing for light engines 122 that is configured for architecturalfeatures with which the Artificial lighting system 100 may beintegrated. Architectural features with which the artificial lightingsystem 100 may be integrated may be selected from a group ofarchitectural features with which the artificial lighting system 100 maybe integrated. Architectural features with which the artificial lightingsystem 100 may be integrated may include a cove architectural feature, arecess architectural feature, a column architectural feature, a spandrelwall section architectural feature, a curtain wall section architecturalfeature, a clerestory architectural feature, a roof monitorsarchitectural feature, a light well architectural feature, a translucentceiling element architectural feature, barrel or arch vaulted ceilingarchitectural feature and the like. The facility for forming the housingof the custom form factor kit 114 may be an extrusion facility.

FIG. 2A shows one embodiment of a custom form factor kit 114 with lightengines 122 behind an architectural feature 202. Architectural feature202 is shown embedded in wall 204 of a room 206. FIG. 2B shows oneembodiment of a custom form factor kit 208 with light engines 122 in aniche 210. Niche 210 is shown embedded in wall 204 of a room 206.

FIG. 3 shows a method 300 for designing a configuration for a housing ofan artificial lighting system 100. The method 300 for designing aconfiguration for a housing of an artificial lighting system 100 mayinclude designing an architectural feature 302, shaping of thearchitectural feature to house the light engines 304 and inserting thelight engines into a space 306. FIG. 25 illustrates two architecturalfeatures 2502, 2504, consisting of two different openings thatcorrespond to overhead windows of different dimensions. In embodiments,each feature 2502, 2404 can be shaped around a system 100, such as thedouble system 2508 around which the feature 2502 is shaped or the singlesystem 2510 around which the feature 2504 is shaped. In embodiments, theopening of such a feature 2502, 2504 may be covered with diffusetranslucent glazing material, behind which may reside arrayed systems2508, 2510, including fixtures and light engines, which may becontrolled in a coordinated fashion. The number of units in such anarray may correspond to the dimensions of the architectural feature2502, 2504. Similar shaping may occur for systems 100 that are designedto be placed in alcoves, above partial walls, behind columns or similarfeatures, or in or within a wide range of other architecture features.

In embodiments, methods and systems are provided wherein an option inthe design process involves choosing among several standard ceiling tiledimensions. Referring to FIG. 26 , a user may be prompted, such as by auser interface element 2602, such as a drop-down menu, to select amongstandard dimensions for a ceiling tile, or to enter a custom dimensionif needed. Similar menus may be provided to enable selection and entryof design specifications for other dimensions, such as width, height andlength of windows, skylights, and other features as described throughoutthis disclosure. In embodiments, such a user interface for a designprocess may allow a user to select other parameters of a lighting system100, such as selecting what content that will be available for displayon the system 100, what modes of operation are to be made available to auser through the user interface of the lighting system 100 (e.g., a“wake me up” mode or a “calm me down” mode, which, if selected, provideappropriate lighting and display conditions based on an understoodbiological effect), and the like.

In embodiments, methods and systems are provided wherein a plurality oflight engines may be configured for integration with a verticallyoriented architectural member, such as a clerestory window or curtainwall, where temporal changes spanning seconds are propagated across theengines to approximate the visual display of external moving objectsacross the array, such as moving people, vehicles, shadows, headlights,or the like. This propagation may be accomplished under control of thecontrol system 138, which may access a library of content, such as adisplay content database 154, for one or more data structures thatcorrespond to desired effects, such as a moving vehicle effect, a movingperson effect, a moving shadow effect, or the like.

In embodiments, methods and systems are provided wherein the designprocess is for one or more fixtures embodied as lighting systems 100 inrelationship to a library of architectural materials with known opticalproperties. For example, reflective properties of ceiling materials,wall materials, floor materials, paints, carpets, cabinets, furniture,fixtures and the like may be characterized, so that the impact ofillumination from a system 100 may be understood, such as to provide anoverall desired level of illumination. For example, in very brightoutside conditions, illumination delivered to a highly reflective,bright indoor environment might be tuned downward, rather than strictlyemulating outside conditions, to avoid an undesirable level ofbrightness. Similarly, an environment with dark colors andnon-reflective materials might be illuminated more brightly thanrequired by strict emulation of outside daylight, to allow meeting thepersonal desires of the user(s) of the space.

In embodiments, methods and systems are provided wherein a definedarchitectural material with known optical properties is used, such thatlight colorimetrics and photometrics are specifically calibrated for thematerial. In embodiments, multiple such calibrations may be storedwithin a library that can be accessed by the control system 138, such asto allow selection of an illumination control regime for the system 100that is at least in part based on a property of the chosen architecturalmaterial.

In embodiments, the color gamut and CRI for a given solution may be madeselectable during the design process in accordance with a desired use orthe needs of a particular solution. An expanded high intensity highcolor temperature, for instance, would have higher impact on circadianrhythm synchronization, if that is required for a given situation.

In embodiment involving the emulation of heat (such as would beexperienced as a result of solar radiation in a real window orskylight), the radiant heat to be delivered by a system 100 may be setduring a design process. For example, the peak radiant heat source powerlevels for a heater 107 may be set during the design process, in concertwith a user selecting a glass, coating, glazing material, or othermaterial having a known heat conduction coefficient, gain coefficient orthe like. These factors may be arranged in the design process to deliverdesired levels of warmth. When coupled with information aboutgeographical location, stored information from the design process may beused to help select the power levels, such as to deliver heat levelsthat emulate typical heat transmission for that location (or some otherdesired profile of heat, such as a reduced heat level in hot climates oran increased heat level in cold

An embodiment of the disclosure utilizes a ledge and a light well tovisually obscure a light source configured to emulate sunlight such thatdirect observation of the light sources is not possible by a buildinguser aside from during installation and maintenance. Since direct lightsources illuminated upon opposing light wall faces are configured tocreate non-uniform areas of light and not principally to directlyilluminate working surfaces, ledges function to frustrate direct line ofsight visibility of those light sources. In various embodiments, theledge is configured at the top, bottom, or middle area of the light wellheight dimension.

An embodiment of the disclosure utilizes a light well with a lightsource configured to emulate sunlight that is dependent on time of day,time of year, emulator orientation, longitude, and latitude. Orientationis a controlling signal for the light sources and is input during theinstallation of the unit through the use of an analog or digitalcompass. In another embodiment, installation and setup is facilitated byincorporating orientation awareness via a signal generated by a digitalcompass within the daylight emulating fixture.

An archetypical horizontally oriented window or skylight of the priorart is schematically represented in FIG. 6 . A skylight (1) is formed bya glazed opening in a roof to admit light. The skylight frame (1 a) isthe structural frame supporting the glazing of the skylight. It includesthe condensation gutters and the seals and gaskets necessary for itsinstallation. The glazing (1 b) is the glass or plastic lenses used asto cover the skylight opening. The skylight-curb connection (1 c) is theinterface between the skylight frame and the rooftop curb. It includesall accessories required for the proper attachment of the skylight, suchas fasteners, and flashing.

Typical glazing materials for skylights include a variety of plasticsand glass. Typical common plastic materials include acrylics,polycarbonates, and fiberglass and may be utilized with a range oftransmission colorations, including clear and translucent white, bronze,and gray. Typical skylight glazing spans a variety of shapes includingflat, angled, or in a faceted framing system that assumes variouspyramid shapes. Plastic glazing is also typically shaped in molded domeor pyramid shapes for greater stiffness.

The light well is composed of two components, the throat (2) and thesplay (3). They both serve as conveyances of daylight from the skylightinto the interior space. They bring the light through the roof andceiling structure, and they simultaneously provide a means forcontrolling the incoming daylight before it enters the main space. Alight well is similar to the housing of an electric light fixture. It isdesigned to distribute the light and to shield the viewer from an overlybright light source.

The throat (2) is the tubular component (can be rectangular or circularin section) connecting the skylight to the splay. In the absence of asplay, it is attached directly to the ceiling plane. It is comprised ofa throat attachment to structure (2 a), which is the interface betweenthe throat (2) and the building structure. This attachment holds up thethroat (2) by providing support. The throat interconnector (2 b)attaches two pieces of throat material (e.g. gypsum board, acoustictile, or sheet metal tubes) together. It may be a rigid connection, oran adjustable component that allows for vertical, horizontal or angulardisplacement of the throat (2). A throat structural support (2 c)provides lateral and seismic stability. It may be a rigid brace, hangerwire or other alternative types of support system. The deeper a lightwell is relative to its width, the less light is transmitted. The insidesurface of the throat (2) is typically a reflective material, like whitepaint that would enhance the light that enters the light well.

A splay (3) is the oblique transitional component of the light well thatstarts at the bottom of the throat and connects to the ceiling. The useof a splay (3) will provide better light distribution into the interiorspace. The splay-throat connector (3 a) attaches the splay (3) to thethroat (3). It can be a simple attachment or it can incorporate anadjustable assembly that allows for horizontal, vertical or angulardisplacements. The splay interconnector (3 b) joins two pieces of splaymaterial (e.g. gypsum board, acoustic tile or sheet metal tubes). It maybe a rigid member or an adjustable component that allows for horizontal,vertical or angular displacements. The splay structural support (3 c)provides lateral and seismic stability for the splay (3). It may be arigid brace, hanger wire or other alternative types of support system.Light wells can be designed in a wide variety of shapes. The simplestare vertical-sided shafts, the same size as the skylight opening. Moreelaborate wells have splayed or sloping sides that spread the light morebroadly through the space. Typical angles of splay are 45 degrees-60degrees. In designs where ceiling tiles are used for splays, the openingis typically multiples of 2′ or 4′ to correspond to ceiling tile sizes,since this reduces the need for site cutting of ceiling tiles.

Light control devices are attachments to the light well that modulatethe amount of daylight coming through the skylight. One or more devicescan be used at the same time in a light well system, depending on thedesign requirements. Several types of light control devices are used,including louvers (4 a), slanted metal slats attached to the throat thatcontrols the amount of daylight coming through. They can be installed asan integral part of the skylight frame. Interior diffusers (4 b) are anykind of glazing material installed within the light well that diffusesthe light from the exterior into the interior. The most commonly useddiffusers are prismatic acrylic lenses installed at the bottom of askylight well. Suspended reflectors are lighting accessories made ofreflective material installed at the bottom of the light well to diffusedaylight by bouncing it off the ceiling or splay (3). Baffles are opaqueor translucent plate-like protective shields used against directobservation of a light source. Device connectors (4 e) attach the lightcontrol devices onto the throat or splay, as their design requires.

A suspended ceiling (5) is a ceiling grid system supported by hanging itfrom the overhead structural framing. Runners (5 a) are cold-rolledmetal channels used to support ceiling tiles. Ceiling tiles (5 b) arepreformed ceiling panel composed of mineral fiber or similar materialwith desired acoustical and thermal properties, and a textured finishappearance. The ceiling-splay connector (5 c) joins the splay to theceiling. It can also serve as concealment for this junction.

Ceiling height is a major determinant of skylight spacing. Lightdistribution has to be even on the work plane. Work plane is typicallymeasured at 30″ above finished floor. The skylight spacing should be sothat there are no dark spots on the work plane due to too much distancebetween skylights. Typical end to end spacing between two skylights is adimension less than 1.4 times the ceiling height. Another spacingcriterion between skylight centers of units with large splayed elementsis 140% of ceiling height plus twice the distance of the lateral splaydimension plus the skylight light well lateral width.

FIG. 5 shows one embodiment of a natural light system employing askylight assembly (3000) at the top of a neck (3 d). A splay (3) opensto the ceiling (3006) having ceiling tiles (3008).

FIG. 10A shows an embodiment of a natural light lighting assembly as itappears installed in a ceiling.

FIGS. 16 and 17 illustrate an exploded top isometric view of anembodiment of the skylight assembly (3000). The skylight assembly (3000)may include an optional gas-tight housing for environmental aircompliance (2002), a plurality of light engines (2004) and lightdistribution assemblies (2010), a frame for glazing diffusers (2006), asplayed electrical housing (2008) and splayed light well (3002), andluminaire.

FIG. 13 illustrates an exploded top view of an embodiment of a lightengine (2004) and light distribution assembly (2010). FIG. 18 provides adifferent view of the light engine (2004) and light distributionassembly (2010). A light distribution assembly (2010) may include anelectronics and fan housing (2602), a plurality of speed controlled fans(2604), a cover plate (2606), a heat sink (2608), LED and drivers lightengine PCBA (2610), electronics housing (2612), secondary optical mixingchamber (2614), secondary optical diffuser (2616), primary opticalmixing chamber (2618), primary diffuser (2620), and the like. The heatsink (2802) may be an aluminum finned heat sink, and the like.

FIG. 19 is a perspective, partial sectional view of a skylight assembly.The luminaire may include a splayed light well (3002) and pyramidalglazing (3004) with visible mullions. The splayed light well (3002) maybe coated on the side visible to an observer standing below the splayedlight well (3002) to match typical ceiling finished and may be availablewith several color and textile options. The splayed light well (3002)may be constructed of die cut and bent sheet metal and may be connectedto the frame for glazing diffusers, light engines (2004) and lightdistribution assemblies (2010) and a secondary optical mixing chamber(2614).

Aspects and embodiments are directed to lighting fixtures, as well asdevices for and methods of using them. Embodiments of light fixturesdisclosed herein may provide significant advantages over existingdevices, including higher efficiencies, fewer components, and improvedmaterials, improved optical properties, and better color rendition,leading to several characteristic effects, including increased sales persquare foot, higher employee productivity, shorter recovery times aftersurgical procedures, reduced employee absenteeism, and increasedoccupant satisfaction. These and other advantages will be recognized bythe person of ordinary skill in the art, given the benefit of thisdisclosure.

It is to be appreciated that embodiments of the methods and apparatusesdiscussed herein are not limited in application to the details ofconstruction and the arrangement of components set forth in thefollowing description or illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Themethods and apparatuses discussed herein are capable of implementationin other embodiments and of being practiced or of being carried out invarious ways. Examples of specific implementations are provided hereinfor illustrative purposes only and are not intended to be limiting. Inparticular, acts, elements and features discussed in connection with anyone or more embodiments are not intended to be excluded from a similarrole in any other embodiments. Any references to embodiments or elementsor acts of the systems and methods herein referred to in the singularmay also embrace embodiments including a plurality of these elements,and any references in plural to any embodiment or element or act hereinmay also embrace embodiments including only a single element.

Still other aspects, embodiments, and advantages of these exemplaryaspects and embodiments, are discussed in detail below. Moreover, it isto be understood that both the foregoing information and the followingdetailed description are merely illustrative examples of various aspectsand embodiments, and are intended to provide an overview or frameworkfor understanding the nature and character of the various aspects andembodiments. Any embodiment disclosed herein may be combined with anyother embodiment in any manner consistent with the objects, aims, andneeds disclosed herein, and references to “an embodiment,” “someembodiments,” “an alternate embodiment,” “various embodiments,” “oneembodiment” or the like are not necessarily mutually exclusive and areintended to indicate that a particular feature, structure, orcharacteristic described in connection with the embodiment may beincluded in at least one embodiment. The appearances of such termsherein are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment.Additional features, aspects, examples and embodiments are possible andwill be recognized by the person of ordinary skill in the art, given thebenefit of this disclosure.

It is also to be appreciated that the phraseology and terminology usedherein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded aslimiting. References in the singular or plural form are not intended tolimit the presently disclosed systems or methods, their components,acts, or elements. The use herein of “including,” “comprising,”“having,” “containing,” “involving,” and variations thereof is meant toencompass the items listed thereafter and equivalents thereof as well asadditional items. References to “or” may be construed as inclusive sothat any terms described using “or” may indicate any of a single, morethan one, and all of the described terms. Any references to front andback, left and right, top and bottom, and upper and lower are intendedfor convenience of description, not to limit the present systems andmethods or their components to any one positional or spatialorientation.

As illustrated in the various figures, some sizes of structures orportions are exaggerated relative to other structures or portions forillustrative purposes and, thus, are provided to illustrate the generalstructures of the present subject matter. Furthermore, various aspectsof the present subject matter are described with reference to astructure or a portion being formed on other structures, portions, orboth. As will be appreciated by those of skill in the art, references toa structure being formed “on” or “above” another structure or portioncontemplates that additional structure, portion, or both may intervene.References to a structure or a portion being formed “on” anotherstructure or portion without an intervening structure or portion aredescribed herein as being formed “directly on” the structure or portion.Similarly, it will be understood that when an element is referred to asbeing “connected”, “attached”, or “coupled” to another element, it canbe directly connected, attached, or coupled to the other element, orintervening elements may be present. In contrast, when an element isreferred to as being “directly connected”, “directly attached”, or“directly coupled” to another element, no intervening elements arepresent.

Furthermore, relative terms such as “on”, “above”, “upper”, “top”,“lower”, or “bottom” are used herein to describe one structure's orportion's relationship to another structure or portion as illustrated inthe figures. It will be understood that relative terms such as “on”,“above”, “upper”, “top”, “lower” or “bottom” are intended to encompassdifferent orientations of the device in addition to the orientationdepicted in the figures. For example, if the device in the figures isturned over, structure or portion described as “above” other structuresor portions would now be oriented “below” the other structures orportions. Likewise, if devices in the figures are rotated along an axis,structure or portion described as “above”, other structures or portionswould now be oriented “next to” or “left of” the other structures orportions. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout.

Some of the general features of embodiments are described below.

In embodiments, a general illumination area greater than that of typicallight fixtures is produced.

In embodiments, a variable light spectrum is produced.

In embodiments described there is an advantage of being utilized inenvironments with or without natural light.

In embodiments, light parameters are calculated and emulated without theneed to rely upon sensor or network input for this purpose.

In embodiments, no ducts linking the building internal and externalenvironments are required to operate.

In embodiments, light is provided by a plurality of wide and narrow-bandlight sources. These can provide light of more than one targetcorrelated color temperature which can be controlled to change as afunction of time.

In embodiments, a light source with a spectral maximum in theultraviolet or infrared wavelengths is not required, as is required bysome prior art devices.

In embodiments, light is provided from a wide spatial area and is notintended to be a point source, as required by some prior art devices.The claimed system can also provide uniform lighting over theilluminated area, if desired.

Some prior art devices require minimizing differences between its actualoutput light spectra and a reference spectrum. However, in embodiments,this is not a requirement for operation.

In embodiments, widely spatially varying light is produced uniformly.

The claimed invention describes fixtures that are intended to beobserved as opposed to hidden lighting of some prior art devices.

In embodiments, a secondary lens is not required.

Multiple, distinct light sources are employed in embodiments, andarranged to create areas of color and brightness uniformity on somesurfaces and areas of substantial non-uniformity on other surfaces.

In embodiments, some of the light from the light sources may radiatedirectly to the observer without being reflected, due to the structure.

In embodiments, multiple light sources are employed that are capable ofrendering various colors.

In embodiments, a change in input light spectra that results in anincreased correlated color temperature results in an output lightspectrum with a decreased correlated color temperature. In embodiments,a change in input light spectra that results in an increased correlatedcolor temperature results in an output light spectrum with an unchangedcorrelated color temperature.

In embodiments, a change in input light spectra that results in adecreased correlated color temperature results in an output lightspectrum with an increased correlated color temperature. In embodiments,a change in input light spectra that results in a decreased correlatedcolor temperature results in an output light spectrum with an unchangedcorrelated color temperature.

In embodiments, a change in input light spectra that results in anunchanged correlated color temperature results in an output lightspectrum with an increased correlated color temperature. In embodiments,a change in input light spectra that results in an unchanged correlatedcolor temperature results in an output light spectrum with a decreasedcorrelated color temperature.

In embodiments, there are no constraints placed on the relativedimensions of neither the light fixture nor scattering componentsrelative to the room dimensions.

In embodiments, there are no constraints placed on absorptivity ofcomponents behind the light fixture emissive aperture.

Natural daylight emulation can be achieved in a number of arrangementswhere only a subset of features normally associated with daylight istypically present. For instance, emulation of the view of a detailedscene through a vertically oriented window requires the re-creation of aview of the detailed scene, but such is not required for horizontallyoriented windows, roof windows, or skylights. Likewise, the totaltransmitted illumination through large area arrays of vertically orhorizontally oriented windows would require high densities of artificiallight sources, which may not be readily obscured from direct observationcompared to arrangements of smaller areas of horizontally orientedwindows.

An effective emulation of natural daylight requires the emulation ofboth sunlight and skylight, each of which have distinct physicalproperties, such as intensity, color, and the extent to which light isscattered, or diffused. The sun is considered a distant point source oflight, often referred to as “beam” sunlight, because it is highlydirectional. Light from the sky, on the other hand, arrives from a largearea and is more or less diffuse, meaning scattered and arriving fromall directions. Beam light will cast a shadow; diffuse light will notcast a distinct shadow.

Sunlight is high intensity, generally providing 5,000 to 10,000foot-candles of illumination. The intensity of sunlight varies with timeof year and location on the planet. It is most intense at noon in thetropics when the sun is high overhead and at high altitudes in thin air,and least intense in the winter in the arctic, when the sun's lighttakes the longest path through the atmosphere. Sunlight also provides arelatively warm color of light varying in correlated color temperature(CCT) from a warm candlelight color at sunrise and sunset, about 2000°K, to a more neutral color at noon of about 5500° K. The correlatedcolor temperature is the temperature of the Planckian (black body)radiator whose perceived color most closely resembles that of a givenstimulus at the same brightness and under specified viewing conditions.

Skylight includes the light from both clear blue and cloudy skies. Thebrightness of cloudy skies depends largely on how thick the clouds are.A light ocean mist can be extremely bright, at 8,000 foot-candles, whileclouds on a stormy day can almost blacken the sky. The daylight on a daywith complete cloud cover tends to create a very uniform lightingcondition. Skylight from clear blue skies is non-uniform. It is darkestat 90° opposite the sun's location, and brightest around the sun. Italso has a blue hue, and is characterized as a cool color temperature ofup to 10,000° K. Skylight from cloudy skies is warmer in color, a blendsomewhere between sunlight and clear blue skies, with correlated colortemperatures of approximately 7,500° K.

The overcast sky is the most uniform type of sky condition and generallytends to change more slowly than the other types. It is defined as beinga sky in which at least 80% of the sky dome is obscured by clouds. Theovercast sky has a general luminance distribution that is about threetimes brighter at the zenith than at the horizon. The illuminationproduced by the overcast sky on the earth's surface may vary fromseveral hundred foot-candles to several thousand, depending on thedensity of the clouds. The clear sky is less bright than the overcastsky and tends to be brighter at the horizon than at the zenith. It tendsto be fairly stable in the luminance except for the area surrounding thesun which changes as the sun moves. The clear sky is defined as being asky in which no more than 30% of the sky dome is obscured by clouds. Thetotal level of illumination produced by a clear sky varies constantlybut slowly throughout the day. The illumination levels produced canrange from 5,000 to 12,000 foot-candles. The cloudy sky is defined ashaving cloud cover between 30% and 80% of the sky dome. It usuallyincludes widely varying luminance from one area of the sky to anotherand may change rapidly.

The majority of commercial and industrial skylights are installed onflat roofs, where the skylight receives direct exposure to almost thefull hemisphere of the sky. Typically, there are also few obstructionsto block sunlight from reaching the skylight. A skylight on a slopedroof does not receive direct exposure to the full sky hemisphere, butonly a partial exposure determined by roof. The sun may not reach theskylight during certain times of the day or year, depending upon theangle and orientation of the sloped roof. For example, a skylight on aneast-facing roof with a 45° slope will only receive direct sun duringthe morning and midday hours. In the afternoon it will receive skylight,but only from three-fourths of the sky. As a result, in the afternoon itwill deliver substantially less light to the space below than anidentical skylight located on a flat roof.

The shape of a skylight also affects how much daylight it can provide atdifferent times of the day, although these effects tend to be much moresubtle than building geometry. For example, a flat-glazed skylight on aflat roof will intercept very little sunlight when the sun is very lowin the early morning and at the end of the day. However, a skylight withangled sides, whether a bubble, pyramid, or other raised shape, canintercept substantially more sunlight at these critical low angles,increasing the illumination delivered below by five to 10 percent at thestart and end of the day.

The correlated color temperature and chromaticity of both skylight andsunlight is dependent on several factors, including year, day of year,time of day, latitude, longitude, altitude tilt, azimuth, and localcloud cover.

FIG. 27 illustrates the correlated color temperature of diffuse skylightas a function of time of day on Jun. 21, 2014 at latitude 33.75 degreesand longitude 84.42 degrees West at 225 degrees azimuth (degrees fromnorth increasing eastward) at 40 degree altitude tilt where it varies byseveral hundred degrees Kelvin.

FIG. 28 illustrates the correlated color temperature of diffuse skylightas a function of day of year at 8:00 at latitude 33.75 degrees andlongitude 84.42 degrees West at 315 degrees (line) and 135 degrees(dotted) azimuth (degrees from north increasing eastward) at 40 degreealtitude tilt where it varies by several hundred degrees Kelvin.

FIG. 29 illustrates the correlated color temperature of diffuse skylightas a function of latitude at 7:30 on Jun. 21, 2014 at longitude 84.42degrees West and 45 degrees azimuth (degrees from north increasingeastward) at 40 degree altitude tilt where it varies by several hundreddegrees Kelvin.

FIG. 30 illustrates the correlated color temperature of direct sunlightas a function of time of day on Jun. 21, 2014 at longitude 84.42 degreesWest at 225 degrees azimuth (degrees from north increasing eastward)where it varies by several thousand degrees Kelvin.

FIG. 31 illustrates the correlated color temperature of direct sunlightas a function of day of year at 8:00 at latitude 33.75 degrees andlongitude 84.42 degrees West and 225 degrees azimuth (degrees from northincreasing eastward) where it varies by several thousand degrees Kelvin.

FIG. 32 illustrates the correlated color temperature of direct sunlighton a surface of 40 degree altitudinal tilt as a function of azimuth that8:15 on Jun. 21, 2014 at latitude 33.75 degrees and longitude 84.42degrees West where it varies by several hundred degrees Kelvin.

FIG. 33 illustrates the correlated color temperature of direct sunlightas a function of latitude at 7:30 on Jun. 21, 2014 at longitude 84.42degrees West and 225 degrees azimuth (degrees from north increasingeastward) where it varies by several hundred degrees Kelvin.

FIG. 34 illustrates the correlated color temperature of direct normalincidence sunlight as a function of time of day at latitude 39.74degrees and longitude 105.18 degrees West for several days across acalendar year where it varies by several thousand degrees Kelvin.

The majority of commercial and industrial skylights are installed onflat roofs, where the skylight receives direct exposure to almost thefull hemisphere of the sky. Typically, there are also few obstructionsto block sunlight from reaching the skylight. A skylight on a slopedroof does not receive direct exposure to the full sky hemisphere, butonly a partial exposure determined by roof. The sun may not reach theskylight during certain times of the day or year, depending upon theangle and orientation of the sloped roof. For example, a skylight on aneast-facing roof with a 45° slope will only receive direct sun duringthe morning and midday hours. In the afternoon it will receive skylight,but only from three-fourths of the sky. As a result, in the afternoon itwill deliver substantially less light to the space below than anidentical skylight located on a flat roof.

The shape of a skylight also affects how much daylight it can provide atdifferent times of the day, although these effects tend to be much moresubtle than building geometry. For example, a flat-glazed skylight on aflat roof will intercept very little sunlight when the sun is very lowin the early morning and at the end of the day. However, a skylight withangled sides, whether a bubble, pyramid, or other raised shape, canintercept substantially more sunlight at these critical low angles,increasing the illumination delivered below by five to 10 percent at thestart and end of the day.

As light is emitted by the surface of the sun and traverses homogenousspace, its visible spectrum propagates without substantial absorption,reflection, scattering, or refraction. The human eye can only perceiveits presence if it intersects its path. When the space is replaced withanother medium that is non-homogenous, like the atmosphere, it may beabsorbed by atmospheric gases or altered by spatial variations inrefractive index. The degree of altering depends on the nature of thevariation in refractive index. Refraction occurs if the refractive indexvariation dimensions are much larger than the light wavelength.Diffraction occurs if the refractive index variation dimensions arenearly the same as the light wavelength.

Mie scattering occurs if refractive index variation is moderatelysmaller than the light wavelength. Mie scattering is nearly independentof wavelength and scattering angles are small relative to the angle ofincidence. Fog and mist produce Mie scattering. Rayleigh scatteringoccurs if refractive index variations are much smaller than the lightwavelength. Scattering has intensity maxima in the forward and reversedirections of incidence and exhibits wavelength dependence withintensity inversely proportional to the fourth power of wavelength.

Rayleigh scattering occurs in the earth's atmosphere and is responsiblefor the blue hue of the sky. Refractive index variations originate fromatmospheric gas density fluctuations. The variations are random inintensity and space and occur over length scales much smaller than thewavelength of visible light. Light near to 400 nanometers is scatteredapproximately nine times more strongly than light near to 700nanometers. Since the scattered light is visible to the eye, theresultant spectra appear like the white light of the sun with a strongerblue component and a weaker red component.

Diffusers that exhibit dispersion with a wavelength dependence similarto Rayleigh scattering can be utilized to create sky-like appearancesand effects. Light incident upon such a diffuser has partial directtransmittance and partial diffuse scattering. The diffuse and directoutput light will have spectral power densities unique from the inputsource.

Wavelength dependent diffusers have been demonstrated by others and areknown to practitioners of the art that produce scattering effectssimilar to Rayleigh scattering but compressed to an optical componentseveral millimeters in thickness. They may be prepared using severaltechniques, including mixtures of high index nanoparticles intransparent binder polymers. When illuminated with white light, they mayproduce scattered white light with a correlated color temperature higherthan the incident light, and directly transmitted white light with acorrelated color temperature lower than the incident light.

In one embodiment of the invention, a light fixture is configured toprovide a light spectrum with light distributions consistent withdaylight. The light distribution and spectrum displayed may depend onseveral factors which also influence the light delivered by the sky andsun, including the including year, day of year, time of day, latitude,longitude, altitude tilt, azimuth, and local cloud cover. A lightfixture may in general be customized to provide a daylight experiencefor a single year, time of day, latitude, longitude, altitude tilt,azimuth, and local cloud cover, however, such would be limited. As partof one embodied invention, all such aspects can be modified during lightfixture commissioning, or by a user operating interface, or autonomouslyby a control system. Furthermore, it is desirable in the describedinvention to display light with distinct color temperature and spectrumfor diffuse skylight and direct sunlight, as each vary relative to eachother through time.

In a light fixture with a substantially non-dispersive scattering orfiltering component, a change to the input light source results in acharacteristic change to the output light. For example, light with agiven CCT incident upon a non-dispersive scattering component mayproduce light with some CCT. If the CCT of the incident is increased,the CCT of the output light will be increased as well. If the CCT of theincident light is decreased, the CCT of the output light will bedecreased as well.

In a light fixture with a substantially dispersive scattering component,the correlation between CCT of input and output light is alteredcompared to the non-dispersive condition. For example, light with agiven CCT incident upon a dispersive scattering component may produceone output light with some CCT and a second output light with a secondCCT. If the CCT of the incident is increased, the CCT of both of thefirst and second output lights may be increased, decreased, orunchanged. If the CCT of the incident light is decreased, the CCT ofboth of the first and second output lights may be increased, decreased,or unchanged. If the CCT of the incident light is unchanged, the CCT ofboth of the first and second output lights may be increased, decreased,or unchanged.

Optical elements which emulate Rayleigh scattering produce substantialdispersion, which means a scattering efficiency at one wavelength thatis 50% or more than the scattering efficiency at another wavelength,both wavelengths being constrained to reside within the range ofvisibility of approximately 400 nanometers and 700 nanometers.

The degree to which a change in the CCT of the input source effectschange in the CCT of multiple output light source depends on thescattering efficiency of the dispersive optical element. For instance, acomponent that exhibits scattering with a wavelength dependence of λ⁻⁴may result in a much larger change in output CCT than a component thatexhibits scattering with a wavelength dependence of λ⁻².

In the figures that follow, the relative intensity of three lightsources are combined to generate a single adjustable spectrum lightsource. The source light passes through a single highly dispersivescattering component which produces two output lights: a directlytransmitted direct light and a scattered diffuse light. The three lightsources which are additively combined and uniformly mixed to produce asingle uniform input light source are three broadband white source withCCTs of 2700K (Channel 1), 3200K (Channel 2), and 6500K (Channel 3).

For example in FIG. 35A-FIG. 35D, the component exhibits scattering witha wavelength dependence of λ⁻⁴. The light output of Channel 2 is fixedand the light outputs of Channels 1 and 3 are variable. The CCT andcolor rendering index (CRI) of the two output light spectra aredisplayed in the figures. In FIG. 35A, increasing Channel 1 intensityresults in an increase in transmitted light CCT. In FIG. 35B, increasingChannel 1 intensity results in an increase in scattered light CCT. InFIG. 35C, increasing Channel 2 intensity results in a decrease intransmitted light CRI. In FIG. 35D, increasing Channel 2 intensityresults in an either no change or a slight decrease in scattered lightCRI.

For example in FIG. 36A-FIG. 36D, the component exhibits scattering witha wavelength dependence of λ⁻⁴. The light output of Channel 1 is fixedand the light outputs of Channels 2 and 3 are variable. The CCT andcolor rendering index (CRI) of the two output light spectra aredisplayed in the figures. In FIG. 36A, increasing Channel 2 intensityresults in an increase in transmitted light CCT. In FIG. 36B, increasingChannel 2 intensity results in an increase in scattered light CCT. InFIG. 36C, increasing Channel 3 intensity results in an increase intransmitted light CRI. In FIG. 36D, increasing Channel 3 intensityresults in an increase in scattered light CRI.

For example in FIG. 37A-FIG. 37D, the component exhibits scattering witha wavelength dependence of λ⁻⁴. The light output of Channel 3 is fixedand the light outputs of Channels 1 and 3 are variable. The CCT andcolor rendering index (CRI) of the two output light spectra aredisplayed in the figures. In FIG. 37A, increasing Channel 1 intensityresults in a decrease in transmitted light CCT. In FIG. 37B, increasingChannel 1 intensity results in a decrease in scattered light CCT. InFIG. 37C, increasing Channel 2 intensity results in either no change ora slight decrease in transmitted light CRI. In FIG. 37D, increasingChannel 2 intensity results in either no change or a slight increase inscattered light CRI.

For example in FIG. 38A-FIG. 38D, the component exhibits scattering witha wavelength dependence of λ⁻⁴. In these plots, Channel 1 is comprisedof a mixture of CCT 2700K and CCT 6500K light, while Channel 2 iscomprised of CCT 3200K light. The light output of Channels 1 and 2 arevariable. The CCT and color rendering index (CRI) of the two outputlight spectra are displayed in the figures. In FIG. 38A, increasingChannel 1 intensity results in either no change or an increase intransmitted light CCT. In FIG. 38B, increasing Channel 1 intensityresults in an increase in scattered light CCT. In FIG. 38C, increasingChannel 2 intensity results in either no change or a slight decrease intransmitted light CRI. In FIG. 38D, increasing Channel 2 intensityresults in a decrease in scattered light CRI.

For example in FIG. 39A-FIG. 39D, the component exhibits scattering witha wavelength dependence of λ⁻³. The three light sources which areadditively combined and uniformly mixed to produce a single uniforminput light source are three broadband white source with CCTs of 2700K(Channel 1), 3200K (Channel 2), and 6500K (Channel 3). The light outputof Channel 2 is fixed and the light outputs of Channels 1 and 3 arevariable. The CCT and color rendering index (CRI) of the two outputlight spectra are displayed in the figures. In FIG. 39A, increasingChannel 1 intensity results in an increase in transmitted light CCT. InFIG. 39B, increasing Channel 1 intensity results in an increase inscattered light CCT. In FIG. 39C, increasing Channel 2 intensity resultsin a slight decrease in transmitted light CRI. In FIG. 39D, increasingChannel 2 intensity results in a slight increase in scattered light CRI.

The instant invention discloses a means to emulate natural daylight bythe utilizing devices within a system to artificially create effectscommon to daylight illumination of skylight structures. By providing auser perception of natural daylight not readily distinguishable fromnatural daylight results in user benefits observed for natural daylightexposure, including increased sales per square foot, higher employeeproductivity, reduced recovery times after surgical procedures,increased test scores, reduced employee absenteeism, and increasedoccupant satisfaction.

A detailed understanding of why natural daylight emulation affects anoutcome similar to exposure to natural daylight is recently emerging andmay involve a number of affective and cognitive factors. Circadianrhythms are biological cycles that have a period of about a day;numerous body systems undergo daily oscillations, including bodytemperature, hormonal and other biochemical levels, sleep, and cognitiveperformance. In humans, a pacemaker in the hypothalamus called thesuprachiasmatic nucleus drives these rhythms. Because the intrinsicperiod of the suprachiasmatic nucleus is not exactly 24 hours, it driftsout of phase with the solar day unless synchronized or entrained bysensory inputs, of which light is by far the most important cue. Whenhumans experience a sudden change in light cycle, as in air travel to anew time zone, they may suffer unpleasant mismatches betweeninstantaneous biological rhythms and local solar time, also known as jetlag. Normal synchrony is restored over several days via the rising andsetting of the sun; an abundance of artificial light frustrates thisresetting mechanism. Furthermore, chronic exposure to cyclical lightingpatterns different to those of the local solar time shifts localbiological rhythms, causing loss of attention, drowsiness, loweredproductivity, irritability, and general decrease of well-being. Thestrong ability for artificial light to alter circadian rhythms arisesfrom exposure frequency; typical participants in industrializedeconomies may spend a majority of waking hours under artificial lightingconditions. In some nations, lighting is the largest category ofelectricity consumption. Daylight emulation systems, while not exactlymatched to local solar conditions, can provide the body with a series ofsignals strongly correlated with local solar conditions, such that themismatch between artificial and natural daylight is reduced, causingless interference to natural daily biological patterns. Theseinterference reductions may beneficially affect occupant's behaviors,such as productivity, propensity to purchase goods and services, andgeneral wellbeing.

Social, market, cognitive, and economic factors also influence theeffect of natural daylight's ability to affect factors such asproductivity, propensity to purchase goods and services, and generalwellbeing. Typical building construction results in a limited supply ofwindows and skylights. For densely populated multi-story buildings, afraction of all working areas receive direct or indirect exposure tonatural daylight. Since scarcity can be a driving factor in relativevaluation, areas of ample natural daylight illumination are assignedhigher value, and may serve as rewards or incentives for performance orreserved for communal area such as atriums, cafeterias, and conferencerooms. A building has a limited supply of perimeter and corner offices,only a subset of which may include windows. A building also has alimited supply of floors directly below the roof, only a subset of whichmay include skylights. Daylight emulation systems and fixtures, whilenot actually providing exposure to natural daylight, may providebuilding occupants the perception or belief of the presence of naturaldaylight and a beneficial outcome may be affected by a means of placeboeffect.

As such, affecting outcomes such as increased sales per square foot,higher employee productivity, reduced recovery times after surgicalprocedures, increased test scores, reduced employee absenteeism, orincreased occupant satisfaction comes from a combination of exposure tolighting conditions closely resembling lighting natural daylight and theuser perception that the light is emerging from a real skylight.Embodiments of the instant specification create at least one of theabove conditions.

Various light sources that emit various spectra may be simultaneouslyoperated to simulate a desired spectrum.

Adjustment of individual light levels is achieved through pulse widthmodulation (PWM), pulse amplitude modulation (PAM) or a combination ofboth PWM and PAM of the LED current or voltage. PWM dimming involvesreduction of pulse width, thereby reducing the duty cycle of theactivation pulses. Activation pulses after PWM dimming have the sameamplitude (current or voltage), but have a reduced width. Therefore, thePWM dimming waveform has a lower applied current or voltage. However,the peak current/voltage is unchanged. PWM dimming may result inoccupant detection of stroboscopic effects and flicker.

PAM may also be used for dimming. PAM reduces the amplitude(current/voltage) of the waveform when dimming, but keeps the sameaverage pulse width.

A combined PWM and PAM dimming would decrease both the pulse width andthe pulse amplitude (current or voltage) while dimming.

Note that increasing illumination would encompass increasing pulse widthof the waveform, PWM, or increasing pulse amplitude (current orvoltage), PAM or both increasing the pulse width and the pulseamplitude.

In one embodiment, dimming of light levels of multiple LED channels withunique emission spectra results in a shift in color coordinates andcorrelated color temperature.

Analog dimming is another method known by those in the art to dimindividual light levels and is effected through changing the currentlevel continuously such that both average and peak current change as afunction of time. Analog dimming methods result in LED emission spectrachanges.

Controlling inputs for the light source may originate from datavariables stored during commissioning or from sensors. The former mayrequire reference to an analytical model of the atmosphere. The lattercan correspond to conditions in the sky either locally or remotely.

The light sources may be comprised of multiple types, such as surfacemount LEDs, packaged LED emitters, through hole LEDs, arrays of LEDs ina common package (chip-on-board devices), or collections of packaged LEDemitters attached to a common board or light engine. The LEDs may becomprised of downconversion phosphors of multiple types, includingYAG:Ce phosphors, phosphor films, quantum dot, nanoparticles, organicluminophores, or any blend thereof, collectively referred to as phosphorcoatings. The phosphor coatings may also be disposed on other opticalelements such as lenses, diffusers, reflectors and mixing chambers.Incident light impacts the phosphors coatings causing the spectrum ofimpinging light to spread.

Light sources may also include organic light emitting diodes (OLEDs),polymer LEDs, or remotely arranged downconverter materials comprised ofa range of compounds. The semiconductor source of light generation mayinclude one or more semiconductor layers, including silicon, siliconcarbide, gallium nitride and/or other semiconductor materials, asubstrate which may include sapphire, silicon, silicon carbide, and/orother microelectronic substrates, and one or more contact layers whichmay include metal and/or other conductive layers. The design andfabrication of semiconductor light emitting devices is well known tothose having skill in the art and need not be described in detailherein.

The positioning of individual light sources with respect to each otherthat will produce the desired light appearance at least partiallydepends on the viewing angle of the sources, which can vary widely amongdifferent devices. For example, commercially available LEDs can have aviewing angle as low as about 10 degrees and as high as about 180degrees. This viewing angle affects the spatial range over which asingle source can emit light, but it is closely tied with the overallbrightness of the light source. Generally, the larger the viewing angle,the lower the brightness. Accordingly, the light sources having aviewing angle that provides a sufficient balance between brightness andlight dispersion is thought to be desirable for us in the lightingfixture.

The intensity of each of multiple channels of lighting elements may beadjusted by a range of means, including pulse width modulation, two wiredimming, current modulation, or any means of duty cycle modulation.

The United States 8,400 hectares of greenhouses consume more than 0.1quads of primary energy. Worldwide, the nearly 3 million hectares ofgreenhouses would consume more than 41 quads for the same energyintensity. The high cost of climate control in greenhouses result in acost structure where horticultural yields dominate the end cost ofproduced foods.

The agricultural yields of corn grain increased by eight times between1940 and 2010, altering world food productive capacity, production cost,and global health. Increasing horticultural yields have an outsizedeffect on production cost, enabling smaller sized greenhouses and/orlower energy costs per unit of product.

Studies of plant and vegetable growth established that dailyphotosynthetic photon flux (PPF) exposure is the most importantattribute of the light environment to consider for consistent timing ofcrops. Research indicates that vegetative plant growth in greenhouses isnearly proportional to the daily solar PPF integral and seldom if everreaches saturation.

LED lights are already used in greenhouses to increase yields and reduceenergy use. LED deployment with spectrum specific illumination increasedyields at Tagayo lettuce farm by 50% while reducing energy use by 40%relative to fluorescent lamps. Many approaches to increasing yields havefocused on generating light tuned to crop-specific action spectradelivered with time profiles customized to plant maturation phase andvertical stacking for high volumetric density lighting; see abovefigure.

New paradigms in increasing crop yield are possible crop if arealspacing can be decreased. The top lighting typical for existinggreenhouses emulates the natural conditions of sunlight, but it ispossible to bypass this limitation. Leaf size is limited by the lightlevels, so top lighting encourages short, stocky plants. But it ispossible to illuminate crops from both the top and sides below the topleaf canopy, enabling more production from an existing soil bed bytargeting light delivery in a manner that is more volumetrically uniformthan areally uniform.

Intra-canopy illumination could be cost prohibitive if it was achievedthrough spacing lamps more uniformly within the greenhouse productionvolume, since more electrical wiring and environmental packaging wouldbe required, which reduce system reliability. However, lightdistribution infrastructure can replace electrical distributioninfrastructure. Using simple planar and rod shaped plexiglass lightguides, light can be distributed inexpensively over several inches withminimal losses from light engines physically located with similarfrequency as conventional systems.

Light is delivered through a combination of conventional top lit lightengines and new side lighting delivered through light guides. The guidedlight can be distributed through edge lit planar light guides, endilluminated rods or simple circular or more complex cross-sections.

The light guide geometry can take a number of shapes. A shape with asmaller aspect ratio cross section, such as a cross or a circle,facilitates coupling to light engines, reduces impedance to the canopy,is more readily moved/removed for cleaning, harvesting, or cropexamination, and require less material, lowering the system cost. Thelight guide may also include optional down conversion elements tofurther tailor the spectrum of light delivered to the crops; see FIG. 41.

Top and intra-canopy lighting elements can be combined to adjust top andintracanopy lighting uniformity in a manner which may beneficiallyincrease total crop yield. Two example configurations are shown in FIG.42 .

Unlike luminaires with decorative features, horticultural lighting doesnot require exceedingly high incoupling efficiencies from the lightengine to the structured light guide, as light that is not coupled intothe guide is available for direct absorption into the leaves of the cropof interest. Placing the light guides within the crop canopy but leavingan optical standoff between the light engine and the canopy has twobenefits: 1.) less light guide is required, lowering system cost, and2.) since the light which is eventually diffused within the leaf canopyvia the structured light has traveled a shorter distance in the guidecompared to the case if the light guide extended completely to the lightengine, lower optical attenuation occurs, increasing efficiency.

The intra-canopy light diffusers can be combined with best practices inexisting horticultural lighting, such as vertical stacking and timedynamic lighting tuned to crop specific action spectra.

Automotive cabin lighting serves both utility and decorative purposes inmodern cars. Depending on the specifics of implementation, the resultcan both enhance or detract from the user experience. Various studieshave shown that natural daylight illumination can have a strong impacthuman centric outcomes such as well-being, alertness, productivity,health outcomes, and consumer spending habits.

Light spectrum affects color reproduction. In particular, lighting whichis the result of multiple light source with distinct spectra mayreproduce color poorly, providing distractions which could limit apositive user experience or at worst negatively affect safety. Duringdaytime periods, a fixed light spectrum will seldom if ever matchexterior lighting conditions.

Providing color tunable interior cabin lighting in accent elements,overhead utility lamps, scuff plates, steering wheel lights andindicators, cup holders, dashboard indicators, storage compartments, anddoor integral lights may serve to reduce distraction and provide a moreharmonious blend of interior and exterior. Color tunable white lightingcan be implemented using LED packages with multiple addressable spectra,reducing the requirements for additional optical materials to homogenizelight delivery.

Exterior lighting conditions change according to geolocation and time.Coordinating interior and exterior lighting conditions can be achievedusing astronomical predictive models or direct color sensing usingmultispectral color sensors.

Embodiments of this invention is to utilize tunable LED lights to adjustdimming intensity and color of light delivered in an automotive interiorcabin controlled by at least one of geolocation, time, and sensed lightspectrum.

Automotive sunroofs add weight and capital cost to automobiles, but areoften included do their desirable benefit to user experience. Theadditional weight also reduces fuel efficiency, increasing operationalcosts. The mechanically operated systems may also break down, increasingmaintenance costs.

Embodiments of this disclosure includes the use of color tunable lightdelivered in a substantially homogenous and planar form with minimalweight using a variety of approaches known in the art, such asnon-imaging diffusers and light guide optics. Integrating suchcomponents with color and dimming intensity tunable lights provides auser experience emulating a sunroof if matched to real time exteriordaylight conditions. Unlike sunroofs, the system can weightsubstantially less and require less expensive components.

Embodiments include using time (automatically or manually set), and/orlocation (global position via GPS, automatically or manually set),and/or orientation (azimuth, automatically detected of manually set) tocontrol the intensity and color of a light such as to provide lightingconditions related to the location of the sun at the correspondinginputs.

It will be further appreciated that the scope of the present disclosureis not limited to the above-described embodiments but rather is definedby the appended claims, and that these claims will encompassmodifications and improvements to what has been described withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope thereof.

While only a few embodiments of the present disclosure have been shownand described, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that manychanges and modifications may be made thereunto without departing fromthe spirit and scope of the present disclosure as described in thefollowing claims. All patent applications and patents, both foreign anddomestic, and all other publications referenced herein are incorporatedherein in their entireties to the full extent permitted by law.

The methods and systems described herein may transform physical and/oror intangible items from one state to another. The methods and systemsdescribed herein may also transform data representing physical and/orintangible items from one state to another.

The elements described and depicted herein, including in flow charts andblock diagrams throughout the figures, imply logical boundaries betweenthe elements. However, according to software or hardware engineeringpractices, the depicted elements and the functions thereof may beimplemented on machines through computer executable media having aprocessor capable of executing program instructions stored thereon as amonolithic software structure, as standalone software modules, or asmodules that employ external routines, code, services, and so forth, orany combination of these, and all such implementations may be within thescope of the present disclosure. Examples of such machines may include,but may not be limited to, personal digital assistants, laptops,personal computers, mobile phones, other handheld computing devices,medical equipment, wired or wireless communication devices, transducers,chips, calculators, satellites, tablet PCs, electronic books, gadgets,electronic devices, devices having artificial intelligence, computingdevices, networking equipment, servers, routers and the like.Furthermore, the elements depicted in the flow chart and block diagramsor any other logical component may be implemented on a machine capableof executing program instructions. Thus, while the foregoing drawingsand descriptions set forth functional aspects of the disclosed systems,no particular arrangement of software for implementing these functionalaspects should be inferred from these descriptions unless explicitlystated or otherwise clear from the context. Similarly, it will beappreciated that the various steps identified and described above may bevaried, and that the order of steps may be adapted to particularapplications of the techniques disclosed herein. All such variations andmodifications are intended to fall within the scope of this disclosure.As such, the depiction and/or description of an order for various stepsshould not be understood to require a particular order of execution forthose steps, unless required by a particular application, or explicitlystated or otherwise clear from the context.

The methods and/or processes described above, and steps associatedtherewith, may be realized in hardware, software or any combination ofhardware and software suitable for a particular application. Thehardware may include a general-purpose computer and/or dedicatedcomputing device or specific computing device or particular aspect orcomponent of a specific computing device. The processes may be realizedin one or more microprocessors, microcontrollers, embeddedmicrocontrollers, programmable digital signal processors or otherprogrammable device, along with internal and/or external memory. Theprocesses may also, or instead, be embodied in an application specificintegrated circuit, a programmable gate array, programmable array logic,or any other device or combination of devices that may be configured toprocess electronic signals. It will further be appreciated that one ormore of the processes may be realized as a computer executable codecapable of being executed on a machine-readable medium.

While the disclosure has been disclosed in connection with the preferredembodiments shown and described in detail, various modifications andimprovements thereon will become readily apparent to those skilled inthe art. Accordingly, the spirit and scope of the present disclosure isnot to be limited by the foregoing examples, but is to be understood inthe broadest sense allowable by law.

The use of the terms “a” and “an” and “the” and similar referents in thecontext of describing the disclosure (especially in the context of thefollowing claims) is to be construed to cover both the singular and theplural, unless otherwise indicated herein or clearly contradicted bycontext. The terms “comprising,” “having,” “including,” and “containing”are to be construed as open-ended terms (i.e., meaning “including, butnot limited to,”) unless otherwise noted. Recitation of ranges of valuesherein are merely intended to serve as a shorthand method of referringindividually to each separate value falling within the range, unlessotherwise indicated herein, and each separate value is incorporated intothe specification as if it were individually recited herein. All methodsdescribed herein can be performed in any suitable order unless otherwiseindicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context. The useof any and all examples, or exemplary language (e.g., “such as”)provided herein, is intended merely to better illuminate the disclosureand does not pose a limitation on the scope of the disclosure unlessotherwise claimed. No language in the specification should be construedas indicating any non-claimed element as essential to the practice ofthe disclosure.

While the foregoing written description enables one of ordinary skill tomake and use what is considered presently to be the best mode thereof,those of ordinary skill will understand and appreciate the existence ofvariations, combinations, and equivalents of the specific embodiment,method, and examples herein. The disclosure should therefore not belimited by the above described embodiment, method, and examples, but byall embodiments and methods within the scope and spirit of thedisclosure.

All documents referenced herein are hereby incorporated by reference.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A lighting system configured for artificialdaylight emulation, comprising: a plurality of integrated artificiallight sources for generating artificial light for transmission through arespective plurality of sides of a light well, the plurality ofintegrated artificial light sources having a dynamic daylight-emulatingoutput light spectrum so as to artificially emulate daylight; aventilation element for generating a simulated breeze to artificiallyemulate conditions in an outside environment of a building in which thelighting system is disposed; a control system comprising a controllerfor controlling: at least one of intensity, directionality, and colortemperature of the generated artificial light of the plurality ofintegrated artificial light sources transmitted through the respectiveplurality of sides of the light well to artificially emulate daylightspectrum that matches the daylight received at a geo-location of theartificial daylight emulation system and a given date and time, and thegenerated simulated breeze of the ventilation element to be one of acool breeze and a warm breeze to artificially emulate the outsideenvironment in correspondence with the artificially emulated daylightspectrum; and a networking facility that facilitates data communicationbetween the controller and at least one geo-location facility foridentifying the geo-location of the artificial daylight emulationsystem.
 2. The lighting system of claim 1, wherein the at least oneexternal geo-location facility is accessed by the controller todetermine the geolocation of the artificial daylight emulation system.3. The lighting system of claim 1, further comprising a processingfacility for modulating the output of the lighting system based onenvironmental sensor data, wherein the environmental sensor data is dataobtained from an environmental sensor selected from the group consistingof a light sensor, a weather sensor, a barometer, a moisture sensor, atemperature sensor, and a heat flux sensor.
 4. The lighting system ofclaim 1, wherein one or more of the plurality of integrated artificiallight sources generates artificial light for transmission across thelight well itself.
 5. The lighting system of claim 1, wherein theventilation element comprises a fan and one or more of a heater and acooling facility to generate one or more of a simulated warm breeze anda simulated cool breeze, respectively.
 6. The lighting system of claim1, wherein the generated simulated breeze being one of the cool breezeand the warm breeze is inversely related to the color temperature of thegenerated artificial light.
 7. The lighting system of claim 1, whereinthe generated simulated breeze being one of the cool breeze and the warmbreeze is directly related to the color temperature of the generatedartificial light.